Things have been picking up here pretty regularly now. I suppose so regularly that I forgot about posting!! (Which is a good sign that I'm having fun and enjoying my time here.)
Well, with my art class we got the excuse of going up to Toledo, which is about a 6 hour bus ride from my town. On our way up we stopped by the Don Quixote windmills and got to take some pictures and take a look at the beautiful nature around. The view was incredible. That's what I love about traveling-- I get to see new beauty.
In Toledo, we visited the painting of El Greco and then we went to a monastery to take a look at the architecture. I find it fascinating that I actually get to go to the places I'm learning about in art class. Here are some more photos:
After that, we had free time for the rest of the night, so my friends and I went to a restaurant (and I was feeling American) so I got eggs, bacon, and bread! It was pretty good, but definitely not as good as what I can make/get at home. ;) But it was eggs and bacon nonetheless. Anyway, the following day we went to the huge gothic cathedral there and spent a good 2 hours talking about all of the architecture and taking photos and what not. It was beautiful and there was so much work put into every inch of that place! Then my friends and I departed for Madrid, since it was so close and we didn't want to go back on a six hour bus ride. :D I met up with my friend who is studying there for a semester (like me!) and I got to crash at her house.
On Saturday we went to el Retiro which was a gorgeous, humongous park. THERE WERE EVEN LEAVES THAT WERE CHANGING COLORS. Oh, have I mentioned that I miss fall? It still feels like summer here-- today the high was about 88. Anyway, we hung out there, rowed some boats, and then grabbed lunch to go and went to the botanical gardens! Oh how wonderful nature is! After that we walked around and then went to el Prado where we oh-so-quickly galavanted through the artwork. Got to see some Goya and Rafael paintings--amazing! I can check that off of my bucket list!!
On Sunday we hit the flea market and I got a new leather bag and a scarf! I was really excited about both of those purchases!! (The bag I did actually need, since I don't have a smaller bag here. And the scarf was 2 euros... and I love scarves. so...) It was so crowded and much bigger than any other I've ever been to! Then I got to see the Palacio Real-- it felt like I was really with the royalty! Actually, I just looked at the outside since it was pretty busy and we wanted to get some chocolate con churros. OH MY GOODNESS! The best chocolate con churros I've ever experienced!! Now, I'm not super huge on this dessert in general, but they had some really great stuff there. A cup of dark chocolate for dipping those delicious creations in. Then I had to start heading back home. What a weekend! Saw a lot, experienced a lot, and got to hang out with an old friend. How lovely! |
| On the way home from the train, doing some journaling and loving up my bag! |
I'm off to Morocco this weekend with some friends with an organization. We are going to have a blast!! I'm not sure exactly of what we will see--but that's half the fun!
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..." Ephesians 5:15-16
