<my musings>
Both Tom and I enjoy conversations with other travelers. It seems the shared interest in exploring this beautiful world enables the flow of lively discussions and the potential formation of dear friends.
</my musings>
To leave Segovia, we take a taxi back to the train station out in the middle of the cow pasture. This train goes to the Madrid Chamartin station in the north of Madrid, but our train to Toledo departs from the Atocha station in the south of Madrid. The metro transfer is included as part of our train ticket, but it’s still confusing and we end up getting on the metro heading north instead of south. Some helpful locals show us the way to get going in the right direction. The stations are confusing and don’t seem to have clear signage, but stopping to ask directions a couple times gets us to the right platform and we head to Toledo.
The Toledo train station is incredibly beautiful and now classified as a monument.
Our taxi takes us to old town, through ever upward, winding, and narrowing streets. When we stop there is barely enough room to open the car door! Our lodging is up three flights of stairs, no elevators. Three flights! Tom is my hero and carry’s my suitcase up. Once inside, we relax and spread out in our apartment. We have a washing machine and can do laundry – bonus! Like most European homes, there is no clothes dryer. Since there’s a heatwave we use our small balconies and our clothes dry quickly. Any time I hear a car coming up our street, I run to the balcony to (giggle at) ensure the car makes it through the tight squeeze. Only once did I hear the scrap of a side mirror, but saw evidence of many in cars in town, side mirrors scraped or broken.
We explore Toledo slowly due to the heat and maybe we’re getting tired, just sayin’. After the El Greco museum we have an arduous walk with no shade available. We reach the top of the hill and step into Melo Como To, a quiet shop with a cold coke for me and beer for Tom. Maria, the shopkeeper, brings us a special olive oil to sample called Picual. We like it so she encourages us to try it on a caprese salad at the restaurant next door, Restaurante La Manuela. Another delicious choice.
Later we find the Torture Museum. It’s shocking how barbaric humans could be to one another. Who could dream up such atrocities? What kind of mind can conjure up an “interrogation chair”? And all in the name of religion. The Spanish Inquisition haunts me still. What museum will be built to showcase our time 500 years hence?
Somewhat stunned, we meander the streets, taking in the quaint Jewish Quarter. Not all that long ago it must have been frightening to walk these streets. We don’t actually have a destination, which keeps us from declaring we are lost. Then we turn a corner and see a brilliant sunset, with the synagogue in the foreground.
The next day we find more El Greco in the simple parish church of Santo Tome. His masterpiece The Burial of Count Orgaz is in the front section of the church. It is indeed a beautiful, fascinating work of art.
Later that evening while struggling to take a selfie in front of the cathedral, we have the pleasure of meeting Mark, his daughter Ava and her friend Savannah all from Utah. We have a nice conversation with them and leave feeling more hopeful for the future.
Our last day in Toledo we slowly meander and find ourselves thirsty and a bit peckish. We stop at a cafe next to the El Greco museum. It’s in a park overlooking the river, a view that is remarkably similar to Tuscany.
Next we head to Madrid for our final five nights before heading back home.
<more musings>
As we near the end of this trip, we’re reflecting on the many fellow travelers we’ve engaged with on this trip. We are both very grateful for them all expanding our worldviews. Also, we are looking forward to catching up and the ease of conversations with family and lifelong friends when we return home. There’s just something “comfortable” about that which cannot be replaced.
</more musings>
Absolutely loving your blog! Deb
I really appreciate your commenting and glad you’re enjoying.
I have just a couple posts left for this trip.
Cheers!
You’ve missed your calling as a travel writer. Even I, as an uninterested in traveling am drawn to the adventure you are sharing.
Happy that you are fulfilling this bucket list item.
Love You,
Eric
I appreciate the sentiments, Eric, it means a lot. Also, I’m flattered you can enjoy our travels through my writing.
The return home is alluring as well.
Love you too and we’ll talk when I’m home. ❤️
You are again bringing home a treasure of memories; they’ll come back to you at fleeting moments and long conversations. You have brought us all along with you. I agree with Eric your love of travel and joy in encountering even the smallest revelation comes through in your writing. My travelling is probably over but I am thoroughly enjoying your experiences.
Love you both; be safe 💕
It means a great deal that you’re enjoying these shares. Julianne loves doing it and solving the technical problems is one more of her skills. Dredged memories would be all I could offer. But those conversations you mentioned will be a treasure not yet discovered. Love you…