The school I am studying at planned a trip to Toledo, Spain this last Saturday! Bright and early at 8:30AM! (Because waking up for school Monday through Friday at 7AM isn’t hard enough... everyone obviously slept the whole way there.) Upon arrival I was so excited to see all of Toledo's cultural diversity.
Our first stop was the Mezquita Cristo de la Luz. This mosque was a perfect way to start our trip. It was just so different. Everything in the US looks so new and well maintained and here it’s obviously old and has had its better years. Next to the mosque was this cute little garden but it was elevated so you could see all of Toledo from it!
We then had a little break to grab a little breakfast and wander around some of the local shops at Plaza de Zocodover. Right by the place we ate there was this adorable building with the archway with another spectacular view of Toledo. I wish our break was longer so I could have explored more.
My FAVORITE part of Toledo was exploring the Iglesia de Santo Tome. Not only is it a cathedral so I was interested in learning more about the beliefs I grew up on and the beliefs that the majority of Spain lives by but also the architecture, it was phenomenal. As it should since it took 200 years to be built! I could have spent a whole day here. Every piece of art and each artifact is so detailed that I couldn’t help but take over 100 pictures. (Don’t worry I only put up my favorites!) Sheil Sheil, I know you would love it here!
After seeing the cathedral I knew it was going to be all downhill from there. What could really outshine that place?? Next, we went to Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca, which was beautiful and full of all of its own history. I like going to synagogues because I think the Jews have some amazing stories about their journey as a religion.
We had another little break where I was finally able to eat lunch and I had my FIRST EVER paella! They are everywhere in Madrid but we usually go out and eat tapas (snacks) instead of a real meal. But after walking around Toledo all day I was starving! After our meal we still had an hour before our last stop and my friend and I were dying to see their river (Rio Tajo)! It was fortunately just a short walk away and it was totally worth it! I am just so obsessed with natures beauty.
Our last stop was Sinagoga del Transito. This was my favorite synagogue out of two because this one had multiple rooms and tons of artifacts. Lucky me, I made a friend who is Jewish so he told me all about the artifacts and how they are used in their religious ceremonies and such. We did have a tour guide for all of our destinations but she was speaking Spanish... which means I wasn’t listening and if I was listening I wasn’t understanding. Typical...
I overall enjoyed the beauty of Toledo. However I wish I could have seen more than just the religious buildings because I know there was much much more to see that is just as important. Maybe next time?
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