Segovia & Toledo

So right from the start I have to express how sorry I am for taking close to two months to post new content. Things have been extremely busy over the Holidays. There were a lot of students who needed my knowledge imparted unto them, and I also had to do a lot of travelling so that I can amass content for all of you!

Well, to begin things off. In the first weekend of November I was surprised by my good friend who I had travelled to Morocco with on one of my first trips that I did while living in Spain.  So naturally we decided to go on an adventure and see some of the smaller cities around Madrid during the school's religious holidays that allowed me to have a five day weekend!

Therefore we got onto the Renfe high-speed train and made out way towards Madrid to catch another train to our first destination of Segovia. The city known for its ancient Roman aqueduct that intersects the downtown core. 

Upon arrival it was a city that was one I knew I wanted to get lost in while wandering the winding streets. As it was November, and the tourist season was dead, we felt like the only tourists in the city, and it offered us some of Segovia's main monuments and middle aged castles as private visits. It almost felt eery walking through these places where it was rarer to see another tourist, rather than some memento to the spanish inquisition era by the catholic church. 

David and I spent a total of two days (plus a travel day getting us from Seville all the way to Segovia) in Segovia, and thoroughly enjoyed the fact that we were able to enjoy this small city at our own pace, without the distraction of other groups of tourists. Below are some of my favourite pictures from Segovia. After we had tired of Segovia, it was time to make haste towards the next fortified city on our list, Toledo!

David and I in front of the Roman Aqueduct as we arrive in the city. 

A nice side view of the Aqueduct to show truly how long this marvel of Roman ingenuity is. 

Fountains are pretty cool

Where the ancient ruler of Segovia once sat. What I aspire my office to look like one day!

the beautiful skyline of Segovia with the massive cathedral in the foregorund. 

me showing off the spanish flag at the top of the Segovia walls overlooking the cathedral.

Where do I go from here?!

Now a city just about an hour south of Madrid, by train, is Toledo. This was one of the homes of the great Spanish author, Cervantes, and his influence was evident all over the city. It was truly a city that has embraced and perpetuated its proud medieval history. Everywhere I turned, I was either looking at the ancient fortified walls, the castles that litter the skyline or the expertly laid cobblestone walkways that lay under foot. This was also a city that was currently lacking an influx of tourists which continued to be a refreshing change for David and I. We therefore took full advantage of this and saw all the sights and sounds that Toledo had to offer.

My fondest memory of Toledo had to be when David and I had had enough of walking around all day, and playing tourist, that we decided to walk into a very local looking stone tavern. We sat down at the bar and were quickly greeted by a seasoned barman who gave off a sense that he had spent a good part of his life behind that bar. It was a role he was born to own. We decided to divert off the game-plan and order two glasses of fine red wine which to our pleasant surprise quenched our thirst in a way we thought wasn't possible. We were also surprised by a small plate of tasty tapas that is served with every drink while at a bar in Toledo. Due to these stated reasons David and I stayed for 3, or probably 4 glasses of excellent local wine and enjoyed each others' company while in a city full of character and surprises at every turn.

Unfortunately the niños were calling and it was time to head back to Seville to educate the next generation of Sevillanos and Sevillanas on the joys of the French and English language.
Until next time, and next trip.

Thanks again for reading and enjoy the following pictures that I took while exploring Toledo.

A statue of Cervantes in front the main historical gate to Toledo.

The front of the cathedral in Toledo. I think the only cathedral that rivalled in size to this one was the cathedral in Seville (just massive buildings!!!)

The old roman bridge that helped to guard the ancient fortified city. 

A skyline shot of toledo, because skyline shots are extremely artsy and cultured.

Acquiring knowledge in the courtyard of the Toledo cathedral.