Toledo

Hola.

We went to Toledo yesterday morning. Toledo sits on a hill and subsequently, is not only a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets, but also very steep. Our tour guide stopped in front of a building and said “this is 200 years old, that’s new for us.” Everything is, by American city standards, ancient. Quique (short for Enrique), one of our directors, told us that what people think of as “Toledo” is only a small part of the actual city. Our hotel sits in a newer section, outside the, as he refers to it, “theme park” that is traditional Toledo.

At 10 tonight we took a cab into the old part of town. We started with tapas in a few cafés and bars. My friend Julia and I asked for recommendations from the bartender and ended up with squid and venison. I can’t speak with any authority, but am starting to notice that food comes swimming in olive oil here.

On a whim, Julia, Fiorella and I decided to take a picture in front of a statue in a park and ended up being swarmed by a group of 20-something Spaniards, who had been drinking and swinging (for those whose imaginations will wander too far: swings, like the kind you push children on in a park). Enthusiastically, they offered a sampling of their drinks (wine, coke, and lemon) and even “the marijuana,” which we politely declined for obvious reasons. We did, however, chitchat about music and politics and collectively agreed that “alguien es mejor que Bush/anyone is better than Bush.” 

Later at a club called Piccaro, Julia and I talked to a couple from Madrid. People warned me before I came that Spaniards (Europeans in general, actually) would be standoffish and reserved at first, but they were vibrant and expressive. I talked mostly with the guy, who teaches sports to children and rocked a tongue ring/sweater combo. He was animated and pantomimed a lot of his words, partially to help me understand, but also partially because of a humorous and theatrical disposition. They were, all around, warm people, nonchalantly correcting our Spanish and immediately feeling comfortable enough to tease us. She gave us her email and phone number, informing us that her home in Madrid was open to us.

Today we travelled into Sevilla and met our host families, but I’ll save that until I’m better acquainted with them. All for now, chicos!

Love,
Natalie

P.S. Also had a great photo op at some windmills in La Mancha.

a bit quixotic