Toledo, El Rastro, Sleepiness....

Happy Father's Day DAD! :) (since Marianne didn't believe I said it) 

I had a very sun-involved weekend (yup, said it) and so right now my eyes are totally burning and I can pretty much feel the redness come out of my skin. BUT, that's okay. It was a great weekend spent in and around Madrid, and I am going to finish my book tonight just in time to start another one tomorrow.

On Friday I was feeling pretty down after having to leave work early due to how horrible my cough had become. Once my head starting pounding and my vision started to go a little, I finally asked my boss if it was okay if I left a little early. Immediately after hearing this request, she and 4 other coworkers had come over to me and asked if I need anything. They offered medicine, to take me to the doctor so they could help translate, and they gave me all their phone numbers in case anything happened this weekend.... before I could even take another breath. It was SO nice. Spanish people get such a bad reputation sometimes, at least I think, for being cold or self-centered. My work place has proved to be this stereotype so wrong. 

So I finally went to the farmacia, which ended up being a simple and not so scary task, and got some pretty strong allergy medicine. It so nice not be coughing up a lung every five minutes, now. I'm a little worried at the week long headache I've been sportin, but besides that I am feeling much better. yeee haw.

Anyway, with the power of meds, I was able to go to Toledo on Saturday. It was a very spontaneous decision Friday night to try and do it on Saturday, but I'm so happy I did. Round-trip was just 8 euro, and the bus was air conditioned and 50 minutes. Plus, I saw some of the Spanish countryside from the bus and did some much needed journaling along the way.

Toledo was like no where I had ever been before. It was an intense up-hill hike from the bus stop, but once I was within the old city, it was completely worth it. Pictures are really the only way I can describe the city. I stayed about 5 hours, saw everything I wanted to (including some free museums), and then got back on the bus for home. I was actually quite happy to have done it alone, as I got lost every minute or so. I literally wandered all day, hoping to end up at a landmark or anything on the map. Most of the time I had some really good luck. If any of you ever go to Toledo, do not bother with a map, seriously.

These are kind of out of order. The things that hung above the streets were my favorite. Also, can you see how its so downhill?

Another view of the cool tapestry above some of the streets.

The Cathedral in the center of the city. Didn't go inside because it was a whole 7 euro.

A normal street. Do you understand the lost/no map part?

Attached the supposed house of El Greco.

Favorite street. People live in those apartments!

People wearing shorts.... obv tourists

From the top of the long hike up the city.

I insist you pity me for that walk

Part of the plaza in the center of the city where their festivals are held

Alrighty then.
This morning I decided I just couldn't get enough of all this touristy fun so I went to El Rastro, an open air flea market in a southern district in town. It was streets and streets of stalls and open shops. The craziest part to me was that this market operates weekly. It's pretty nuts.

View from one of the main streets. So many people...

From above, kind of.

A different part of the market

Afterwards, roommate Laura, her visiting boyfriend Raffi, and myself went out for a huge lunch. We were forced to finish a bottle of wine, since it of course was just included with the meal (mm good old Spain) and then we got froyo afterwards. Great Sunday I'd say. Especially since I just Skyped with Molly AND Laur and then the family. (Marianne, I have officially seen enough of you. JUST KIDDING)

Tomorrow... World Refugee Day. Must be at work at the crack of dawn so I will be heading to sleep shortly.  Sending love from Madrid!