Spain – Day 8

This morning came way too fast for me.  I didn’t realize what time it was last night after finishing up my blog and doing some work – I got to bed around 3:30 am.  I am also the designated alarm guy so when it went off this morning, it was painful.

We headed out for the Metro station this morning around 8 am; we needed to switch trains and give ourselves enough time to make our connection to Toledo.  We made it with time to spare and without difficulty.  Seattle should really consider implementing a subway system of some sort.

9:20 to Toledo; Train 8292.

The sun was almost done rising as we headed down to the platform.

Aaron and Kris

Pat and Peter.

Toledo is an hour south of Madrid (1/2 hour by train).  Spain’s former capital has 2500 years of mixed yet rich history – Roman, Jewish, Visigothic, Moorish and Christian.  It sits on a high, rocky perch surrounded on three sides by the Tako Rivers.  Because of it’s rich mixed history, it is not a huge tourist attraction.  It was home to one of Europe’s most powerful king and its most famous resident artist, El Greco.  Today, the Catholic cardinal of Toledo is the most power leader in Spain and has a lot of influence in religious and political matters.

The train station with Moorish architecture was dedicated in 1912.  Side note, Peter’s quite tall, so you will notice a lot of pictures with just his head in the frame.

Inside the train station.

As we left the train station, we had conflicting info with regards to which direction to go, so we went with some instinct and from there we basically had to go most of the way with instinct because we had a tough time getting oriented with the map.  We finally got our bearings once we found the city center, Plaza Zocodover.

On our way into the hilltop city.  It was a foggy morning and it didn’t clear to late afternoon.

View of part of the city and river.

Remember how I mentioned that we walked a lot in the last 2 days, here was our first “hurdle” of the morning – making it up these flight of stairs.  It was a long climb and the thin cold air didn’t help our breathing.  When got to the top, we discovered elevators and escalators on the opposite side – good to know for the return journey to the station.

Half way up those flight of stairs.

At the top of those stairs we came to a major thoroughfare with apartment buildings and shops.  From here we figured we were a little lost but decided not to be afraid of being lost and to venture out to create our own adventure.

Amazing architecture.

Posing with some poet (I think)

Peter’s turn.

After finally finding the city center, Plaza Zocodover, and getting situated with maps from the Tourist Info Center, we made our way to our first stop – Museo de Santa Cruz.  It was a hospital founded by Cardinal Mendoza with traces of Covarrubias.  Now it houses paintings by El Greco and others, as well as tapestries, sculptures, ceramics, textile and archaeology.

15th Century carved coffin lid.  Very ornate.

The courtyard/garden of Museo de Santa Cruz.

16th Century sculptures.  Amazing the condition of these artifacts.

3500 (?) BC (if I remembered right) Roman Togo sculpture.

Side entrance to the Holy Church Cathedral.  This cathedral is one of the biggest attraction of the city.  The Holy Church Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her Assumption to the heavens.  Its construction began in 1227 and was built over the foundation of the Visigoth Cathedral of the 6th Century, which had been used as a Mosque.  Constructed in a Gothic style with a French influence, it measures 120m long by 60m wide and contains 5 naves supported by 88 pillars and 72 vaults - “Holy Toledo” some might say.  The side naves are extended behind the Main Chapel surrounding the presbytery, and this creates an apse aisle with a double semicircular corridor.  These side naves could not be finished until the 14th Century.  Also in this century, on the north side, the low cloister was built with its compartment.  By the end of the 15th Century, in 1493, it was finally considered finish.  Other interior additions were added in the 16th Century.

Unfortunately, every cathedral we’ve been to have a no camera rule, so I haven’t been able to capture the interiors.  Let’s just say it is quite a sight to behold; really decadent (gold plated everything), very ornate carvings and sculptures and amazing art all over the place (from ceilings to walls).

One entrance of the cathedral; notice the details in the arch.

Another view of the cathedral.

I felt bad today because the guys had to deal with an “out of it” Jireh.  I was literally falling asleep everywhere I went.  I would lean up on something, find a bench or just plain stood and slept.  I almost fell over a few times, started a few dreams that were cut short.  I have not been like this is a very long time.  My fault for staying up late.

After walking around Toledo for a bit, we were all worn out and decided to try and get back into Madrid to have an earlier dinner and to get some sleep in.  Our tickets were booked for late evening out of Toledo so we tried to get them changed for an earlier train.  The computers at the station didn’t quite work so we couldn’t physically change for new tickets but the agent told us we shouldn’t have trouble getting on the next train.  Well, we had a problem and had to stand in the cold until everyone else boarded before they allowed us on, to an empty car no less!

We decided to go for an “early” dinner at about 6 pm and at this point in our trip, everyone was craving a juicy burger and refills in our pop, so we made our way to the the Madrid Hard Rock Cafe.  Oh baby!

The entrance to Hard Rock Cafe.

We had a to walk, yet again, quite a long walk from the train station we got out at.  This particular train station was significant though, it was the station that was part of the terrorist bombing a few years ago.  The station is called Atocha.  It is in the heart of where a lot of government buildings are as well as where many high end homes are.  It is a also a very large station that services a lot of people in multiple underground levels.

Here are the names of the 200 that died in that bombing.  There is a memorial set up attached to the station and we paid a quick visit.

The monument is a circular glass structure with these inscriptions on the inside from different people.

Next up, Hard Rock Cafe!

A modern Christmas tree all lit up for the season.  They have these lit tree structures all over the city.

One of the streets along the way to the juicy burger.  Cool lights.

Introducing…Canvas - (L to R) Jireh, Peter, Kris, Pat & Aaron.

At last!  My juicy medium  BBQ Hickory Bacon Cheese Burger and fries!  Yum!  Great way to end the night.

It was fun day, albeit tiring, but still really fun day.  One more day tomorrow and we’re visiting Segovia in the morning, so no more late night for me.

Ciao!