Toledo

Monday, July 22, 2013

Today I woke up early to go to Toledo!  This was part of the package I paid for.  We left a little after 9:00 and got there a little after 10:00.  Our tour guide was great.  She told us that the saying holy Toledo came from the view that she took us to (below)!

First we went to a sword manufacturing company and watched them make a sword.  It was so cool.  After we went into a store that had all of the Damasquinado products.  Toledo is known for this type of jewelry and products and it was in all of the stores here.  It is pure 24-karat gold inlayed into darkly oxidized steel.  The jewelry has intricate patterns engraved into it.  Our tour guide told us that there are 3 different types to look out for.  The first is masters meaning that the people making these products are experts.  This type is most expensive.  The next is educators who are learning the process and these products are a bit cheaper.  Lastly is machines that make the jewelry.  It is stamped onto the steel rather than etched in by hand.  These are the cheapest.  Toledo is the world’s largest center of the production of this jewelry.  This jewelry is a treasure to have and a true item to have that is made right in Spain.

Next we went into the Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca.  After we walked to Iglesia de Santo Tome.  Here we got to see a famous painting by El Greco called The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.  The painting was beautiful.  After we walked past the giant Toledo Cathedral.

After, we had free time for lunch and shopping.  Our tour guide told us that siestas are a national sport and that they are necessary.  She was funny.  Leaving Toledo was just like all of the other places we have been in the sense that they are all surrounded by dead land.  These places are like oasis (Olivia :)) and have nothing surrounding them.

Toledo is rich in history and culture and remains the way it has been centuries ago.  There are a lot of Roman aspects that you can see throughout.  Toledo was so beautiful!

We got back to Mara in about an hour at 4:17.  My room was cleaned today which was great.  I took and nap, painted my nails, did homework, updated my blog and went to eat at 9:00.  I literally can't believe that this is my last Monday in Madrid and I only have one more week!  Finals are on Thursday so this week will be filled with studying!!  I am so glad that I got to go to Toledo as my last big place to visit before Paris on Friday!  We are already planning each second in Paris to make sure we get to see everything in so little time.