The Amazing Race to Valencia!

If there was ever a time in my life that I thought I could be a contestant on a TV show, it would be this past weekend. Friday, I started out my weekend with a trip to Madrid! We spent the morning touring the King's castle and let me say, I was extremely inspired by the interior decorating. I saw some of the most beautiful patterns and paintings that I've ever seen in my life. So basically my new goal in life is to become the Queen of Spain because who wouldn't want to live in this castle?!

My future home :)

After viewing the castle and eating at El Museo del Jamon myself and 16 other classmates began our journey to Valencia. Our bus was scheduled to leave Madrid at 5:00 and since it was 2:30 we figured we had plenty of time to walk to the bus station. Well, little did we know, two hours later we were in a residential area with no idea about where we were. By the way, we were being led by three men (hint: men truly are HORRIBLE with directions). So, 15 minutes before our bus is scheduled to depart, we decided to get a taxi (which we should have in the first place) and we luckily made it to the bus about 4 minutes before 5:00. Probably the most exhilarating and stressful situation I've been in thus far in Spain! At this point, I had been running (literally) around Madrid for just over 2 hours and now all 17 of us American students were stinking up this bus to Valencia! Four hours later, we arrive in Valencia and ask the police outside of the bus station where our hostel is and where we can find taxis (because at this point we have learned our lesson not to wonder around areas we aren't familiar with). We successfully get to our hostel and I was so pleased to find out that the hostel was AMAZING! My bed there was better than the bed I have in Toledo, we had delicious paella and sangoria on the rooftop Saturday night, and the people working there were so incredibly friendly! 

The entrance of our hostel...

My time in Valencia was basically spent on the beach since I am kind of obsessed with the sun. I for some reason didn't realize that the beach in Valencia would be a nude beach so to my surprise I saw lots of tatas Saturday! I think this was when it really truly hit me that I'm not in America anymore because I spend my days with Americans and this was a custom I was just not prepared for! 

Playing in the waves in the Mediterranean!!

On Sunday, we went to the cathedral in Valencia and it was absolutely breath taking. I also climbed the tower of the cathedral and was able to see a beautiful view of Valencia! 

The cathedral!

View of the plaza from the tower!

The alter at the cathedral.

After this relaxing weekend, there obviously has to be a little more drama, right? Right. We got to the bus station 2 hours early on Sunday to make sure we'd get on our bus in time, which we did, but once we got to Madrid we had to catch the Metro to take us to our bus from Madrid to Toledo. Needless to say, we found ourselves running through the Metro and yet again through another bus station because we were cutting it close with our time again. We made it to our bus literally right in time and luckily right before the seats had filled up. This weekend really got me exciting for all of the traveling that I plan on doing during my stay in Europe but I really hope that there are no more "Amazing Race" stories because I don't know when my luck will run short! So many adventures to be had in such short time!

I think this just about explains our bus expeiences!

Living Like A Spaniard!

Hola! I have officially been in Toledo for one week and let me tell you, it has been possibly the easiest adjustment I've ever made in my life. The Spanish lifestyle has been very easy for me to accommodate to because it is so relaxed and simple. I have gotten into the habit of taking naps (which will not be any easy habit to break when I get back to MN) and my days feel much longer because meal times are spread out more than I am used to. There's also tranquility in Toledo that I have never experienced anywhere else. I am able to sit in my bedroom with my window open and not hear any cars or chaos. I only occasionally hear dogs, children, or bells. And walking through the streets of Toledo is astonishing to me because I am constantly seeing new things because there are so many little stores squeezed into the buildings.

I also began classes this week and they all seem pretty interesting! I am taking Spanish culture, grammar, art, and linguistics classes along with an internship at a local organization. All of my professors are extremely nice and they're willing to talk to slow for us! (Since Americans tend to talk a little slower!)

I did some roaming around Toledo before classes began and I was able to go to two museums last week. We went to El Museo del Greco first and the paintings looked amazing but unfortunately I'm not too much of an art fanatic.

We also went to La Exhibicion De Instrumentos de Tortura and this was extremely fascinating to me! I think it's obvious was the top picture's intended use was but the bottom picture is of a mask that was used for public humiliation and people were also not able to eat or drink while they were wearing this mask. Let me just say, I am extremely happy that I was not alive when these instruments were used.

There's not a whole lot else to talk about since, like I said, it's pretty laid back here and our days are filled with a lot of hanging out and getting to know people. But...I did book 4 flights to Ireland, Italy, France, and London! So watch out Europe, here I come!

Adios

A New Adventure

Hola todos! Estoy en Espana! I arrived at la fundacion around noon and met my roommate! I must say, we have an amazing view of Toledo.

My roommate and I went roaming around Toledo after our naps and it was quite the adventure. There are no such things as straight or parallel streets in this city! I couldn't tell if I was walking in a street or sidewalk because the streets are so narrow. Toledo has such a great atmosphere that I'm falling in love with already though. All of the restaurants have outdoor seating on plazas and there are so many people walking everywhere. The city has so many beautiful sounds! Lots of church bells and bands playing in the streets but these sounds are just background noise to all of the beautiful architecture I saw today. The Catedral Primada was the first building I stumbled upon and the size and detail of the architecture took my breath away. 

I can't wait to explore the city some more and find more hidden treasures, even though this one wasn't so hidden! Well jet lag is getting the best of me! Good night!