Toledo, Toledo.

I was so tired after a long day yesterday, which is the reason for not posting about Madrid and Toledo in the same post.  Plus, I'd really like for my readers to have an opportunity to absorb one post before trying to process a whole lot of information at one time.

Yesterday morning, that is 6 de Junio (6 of June)-- My friend Logan and I met at the estación de tren and purchased tickets to Madrid on the cercanias. The cercanias is a train that circles around the areas of the region of Madrid. (Madrid is a region, but there is also the city of Madrid, it seems confusing at first but it's really not once you are aware). We rode the circanias to Atocha, and from Atocha we purchased tickets to Toledo.  We were under the impression that a lot of other people from the group were already going to be there because the plans were to meet at the Plaza and go to the train station by 1030.  We never saw anyone from the group at the train station in Alcalá before leaving, so we assumed everyone had already left. I found out later...no one was coming until later that afternoon.

Anyways, upon arriving to Toledo,only about a 30 minute ride non stop, I hopped out of the train to find Logan( due to last minute ticket purchasing Logan and I were unable to ride together).  I found Logan outside of his coche chatting to two sweet chicas.  One from Canada and the other from New York.  We ended up hanging out with them most of the day. 

I can't describe how beautiful Toledo is in words.  It's very mountainous, and unique for it's architecture.  There are many historical sites here, and I wish pictures actually did this sweet little place justice.  I tried to take as many as possible, which you will see more through Facebook.  

Our first goal was to find the Greco museum/house so that we could tour it before leaving.  The picture of me piggy backing on Logan is actually NOT taken in front of the Greco, but the OFFICE of the Greco--- funny story behind this---but to sum it up, we thought we were in the right place and come to find out we were actually taking the way out of town and back to the train station. So we first took pictures, got lost, asked for directions, and then found our way.  There were many beautiful vistas on the way. 

We took photos in random places. There is a distinction in the Jewish quarter, I made sure to take pictures of the plaques in the ground. Toledo just has this spirit that makes you feel like you come from another time. Just something about it.  Logan and I also decided we found the most beautiful girl in Spain here in one of stores. ;)

Anyways we hung out with our friends at the Greco, stopped so they could have a late lunch, walked around for a bit longer, parted ways with our new friends, Logan bought a gift for his sister, and we went to a really neat baroque art display at the CC San Marcos. After this we walked the streets until we actually did run into the group that decided to come later. We took them to a really cool vista, grabbed dinner, and got our train back to Alcalá for the night. There was supposed to be a festival in Alcalá in the plaza de los santos niños, but we missed it because of our late arrival back in, so instead.....Logan and I decided to go to Bamby and have cafe solo and a pastry. 

a beautiful view of Toledo behind me.

Logan, sorry for my finger obstructing the view. I've been really bad about that lately. :\

Us with our new friends Shanay and Victoria.

We are all standing in La plaza mayor

Logan in the streets of the Toledo.

Outside of the place that we THOUGHT was El Museo Greco

Not the Greco lol

Our feet with a ceramic tile that has a menorah on it. These were found throughout the Jewish Quarter.

Very beautiful Street. Most of the main streets in Toledo are shaded with those big white canvas tapestries. Good thing too because Spain is HOT, hace mucho sol. Even with this, I still got a sun burn yesterday.

Kids will be kids. ;) I don't have the video of us both being kids, sadly

Logan and I. We found this view on our way to the Greco.

Absolutely beautiful, doesn't do it Justice.

A little garden I found walking along the streets of Toledo.

This statue (estatue) is at El Museo de Greco

A view from the Balcony of the restored house.

The garden of el museo de Greco

We got in trouble shortly after this because we were being total americans and sitting somewhere that people have to walk all of the time---when there are seats right around the corner...lolol

Just because i thought this was a nice spot to have a picture taken.

The distinction of the Jewish Quarter

The rotunda inside of the Museo de los artes baroques

The most beautiful girl in Spain...and us.

We saw UNA BODA (a wedding) in Toledo. I tried to get some good pictures.

my favorite pictures.

this is the view you see to your left when walking into Toledo!!! Very beautiful <3

Flores de Toledo. <3 

una puesta del sol hermosa. 

dos cafes solos (sin leche, sin azucar), con pasteles. 

I am so grateful to be here. 

I can't tell you that enough, so to all of the people who helped get me here, monetarily or just by being apart of my journey....Thank you. <3

Estoy teniendo una aventura buena.

Hola a todos,

Lo siento mucho!! I have been having the time of my life here in Spain, and I have the heart of an adventurer, so when I'm in a new place, it's very hard for me to sit down and take time to write. I know it's very important to stay on top of this, as Im already having to make a large post because now I have stories from Madrid AND Toledo. It's funny because each day I'm getting up earlier than I ever would back home, and still going to bed at the same time I normally would.  I guess some things just never change.

Anyways: 

Madrid:

Day June 5:

It's now day 3.  Yesterday I traveled with the group of students to Madrid.  We started off the day by traveling to Madrid by train. It's only a 30 minute ride.  Not too bad. I wore pink for Kaley Wilkerson in Spain on this day. For those that do not know, she a sweet little girl who recently lost her battle to brain cancer. She made a serious impact on many people throughout the span of her life. --

I'm going to be very honest with you all-- I've never really been big on " big cities" and yesterday I started off the day already feeling tired because of the lack of sleep.  I also went for a run at 730 because I hadn't run in 2 days and was really itching for some cardio, so anyways, back to what I was saying...I've never really been much for big cities and my sentiments towards Madrid are no different.  I would rather be somewhere where the sky meets the earth and there aren't many buildings, if any, in between.  I don't really have much to say about it besides how much I loved Retiro Park.  It was beautiful and I will show you though the pictures I took.

Turtles in the train station. They had a whole area dedicated to las tortugas. My dad would die and go to heaven.

Retiro Park, Madrid.

After that we walked to a restaurant that was on a main strip and had lunch. It was pretty good. I took a picture. I ordered turkey with grape dressing and it came with French fries, which I did not eat, as I've been doing my best to mind my macronutrients. It also came with a primero plato-- of which was spaghetti. I didn't eat much of this either, as my dad knows , I've never been a big eater. Which is precisely why I had to tell my mama that I don't eat much.

lunch

dessert Flan

Next stop was an art museum that had paintings by Goya and works of many other artists. Very incredible art work was on display here. I was unable to take photos-- as are usually the rules in art museos, but that's ok with me. There is no satisfaction in a photo of a piece of art later anyway, nothing like seeing it with your own eyes.

After this we strolled through for a little while , had a nice break in the plaza ... I went to a cafe and was taught a very valuable lesson--- never travel without un hombre. I walked into a cafe to use the restroom with my friend and since the bathrooms are small in Europe she went alone and I stayed outside waiting for her. I decided to wonder off into an opening I saw beside the bathroom, which ended up leading to a bar, and the bar tender approached me and told me I was tan guapa (very beautiful) ---which was very sweet and I said gracias.. He then game up close to me and grabbed my arm to give me besos on either side of my cheek-- but on the second kiss he came very close to touching my lips... at this point I'm feeling very violated -- personal space wise..so I grabbed my arm away and ran back to the bathroom door where CB was waiting for me.. I grabbed her and told her to run. I explained what happened as we ran up the stairs! Anyways -- DONT WORRY MOMMA AND DADDY-- I told my teachers and they taught me to go everywhere with a guy to make it seem like i have a boyfriend because this basically means " I am already owned by someone" -- and that also there is a saying that Karina taught me to say if I feel as if my personal space is violated -- which I can't remember at the moment , so I'll be asking her again soon. Another great instructor of mine (one of the best, don't know if you're picking up on a pattern here but my Spanish professors are all of my favorites)-- Anyways one of them told me, You don't commit a new word to you vocabulary until you've used it at least 50 times.

After this encounter we walked to the palace where the kings and queens used to live.. Which is next to a beautiful cathedral .

madrid

cathedral

infront of the cathedral

palace

standing in a random street in madrid.

After this journey we walked to a very busy part of Madrid-- saw a protest -- which my friend Logan got a really great video of. I will more than likely get one and post it on Facebook so you all can see , as I was half dead from exhaustion by this point in the day.. 

We took a train to Atocha -- had dinner at a Mediterranean place -- muy bueno-- I didn't get pictures I was too tired-- we got back to train and returned to Alcala at 1145 in the evening.

Logan bought me a rose from a man selling roses outside of the restaurant. 

Beautiful rose, from a very very sweet person aka Logan :)

My sweet mama was waiting up for my return last night. She really is the sweetest lady. I told her I was going to try to go to church with her sometime. I really want to spend time with her as I would if she were my own mom. I think it's important to really make myself feel a part of the family. I asked her how her day was while getting ready for bed and she said she went shopping. She went shopping and bought bananas (platanos). She Knows I love them. When I got home last night I was so tired that as soon as my head hit the pillow-- I went right to sleep and I slept

Like a baby. Which is a good thing because Logan and I are going to Toledo and I don't want to waste anytime sleeping in. 

Things I've learned: 

1. My Spanish is actually a lot better than I ever thought it was.

2. Chacos are the worst shoes for walking around in -- I have blisters everywhere. Mama gave me band aids ;).

3. Even when you're tired, hungry, sweaty-- you should always be grateful for your circumstances-- because you're in spain and life is too short.

4. Also--- i think I hate large cities because I have some sort of phobia of large crowds. I like open air. This must be the reason why I HATE going to Walmart -- or anywhere where there are large crowds. For example, the Sanderson gym in the late afternoons and evenings on weekdays during the school semester. 

Anyways don't know who I got that from but It's definitely true.

Today we went to Toledo and I'll post about it later. Our train returned at 930. I'm Excited to see this beautiful place. Hope everyone had a blessed day.

Un salad y todo mi amor,

M.

other random photos:

our dining room and living room area

kitchen/cocina

mi cuarto/bedroom

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Hola a todos!

Estoy en España! :)

I am having trouble sleeping (probably the jet lag). I figured--- this is the best time to write my first blog sobre mi experience en extranjero! ;)

We arrived in Madrid on June 3 at 930 AM. You have to keep in mind we all suffered a 7 hour loss of time, plus our travel time was around 15 hours in total. We had an hour flight from Columbus to Atlanta, a 6 hour layover, and an 8 and a half hour flight to Madrid plus a loss of 7 hours because of time zone change.

The first day I dragged the entire time, but I didn't allow myself to take a nap because I knew I would pay for it later when I wasn't able to sleep that night.

Over all there are 40 students from Mississippi on this trip and 2 professors (who happen to be two of my favorites, but that's neither here nor there). I was told to try to surround myself with locals as much as possible if I really want to pick up on the language quickly and soak up as much as possible while I am here.

I met my mama española en La plaza de Cervantes. It's a beautiful plaza in the center of Alcalá that is dedicated to the author Miguel de Cervantes. (most know him for Don Quixote)-- He is from Alcalá. I never knew this until today.  My house ma is precious. I already feel as if I am a part of the family. She makes me breakfast in the morning and late lunch in the afternoons. I am on my own for dinner, but that's ok because it's easy to split a meal with friends and end up paying barely anything at all.

The first night 4 friends and I went to a bar and shared Tapas. Tapas are kind of like appetizers and some places you can get them free if you purchase a drink. We all purchased mineral waters and each tried a different tapa.  All of the food I've had so far is MUY BUENO especially the food of my mama! I love her cooking, but I think it made her sad that I had a hard time finishing the portions she gives me. I told her, "Yo como como un pájaro" -- I eat like a bird. She says that explains it and thought it was funny, too.  I think maybe now she will not feel offended, or perhaps fix smaller portions.

Today I woke up and went to Alcalingua to take a placement test. This is in order to ensure that we are all placed in classes that are at our level of speaking ability.  This is a great way for all of us to learn without getting overwhelmed and also to be in classes with students that are at the same level as us.

There are so many things to write about. I really will try to make an effort to type daily from this point forward because I don't want to miss out on anything!!


OH!! One REALLY funny story... My mama made fried chicken today to go with our soup for comida en la tarde. Her son brought out the plate and said "MIRA MISHA, KENTUCKY FRIED KITCHEN" --- ha ha ha It was the cutest and funniest thing EVER. Anyways, it's been a really great experience so far with the family. I have decided to do my best to blend in, which isn't hard, because apparently I look Spanish?? A lady told my friend and I this today. I want to be one with Spain and really get an authentic experience of what it is to live here on a day to day basis. I was even able to get a gym membership at one of the local gyms here in Alcalá. My mama's son brought me today along with a friend and it's just another way to make this place really feel like home for the next two months.


I have tried to soak up everything, from the language to the culture, and boy is it cool. My friend Logan and I decided to make it a goal to explore as much as possible. For me, that might mean getting out of my comfort zone every once and a while, but it's the best way to see the world. I try not to let fear hold me back from awesome discoveries today.


<3 Until next time,

Un salud,

xoxo


M.

Tonight in the SIPP, next time....España.

I am going to Spain.

I made it. It's happening. I'm really going. Pinch me, this isn't real. I really am going. Holy cow.



YEPP, that's right....in case you didn't get the memo up there ^^^ I'm going to SPAIN.  I am SO happy, and so GRATEFUL for all of the love and support that has been given to me towards conquering this endeavor.  I leave on the 2nd of June-- I will be studying for 2 months.

Don't worry. I won't forget about you while I'm over there studying really hard. (probably exploring a bit, too) I'll be bringing you with me everywhere I go.

I'm going to do my best to blog AT LEAST once a week, but we will see how well I keep up once I'm actually over there.

If anyone has any suggestions on places to check out while I'm there. Let me know.




All of my love,
From Mississippi Tonight,
But Next stop....Europe!

xoxo

M.