Madrid Mullings

Hello! I'm back from Spain! Can I tell you how happy I am to be back in the good ole' U.S.A?? I thought I was too old and well-traveled to get culture shock, but whoa. Spain was a humbling experience. I'll tell you the good stuff that I brought away from this three week experience, though: a greater appreciation for the everyday privileges I enjoy in America, a desire to return to Italy, a wonderful visit with my friend, Khrisslyn, who joined me from England, a renewed confidence in my professional knowledge and the enjoyment of meeting a group of wonderful people who wecomed me into the classes I took with them.

The photo above was taken in a tapas bar in Madrid. Yes, that is indeed a deer hoof sticking out just above my right shoulder. Note the copious amounts of ham in the background. Madrid is all about ham and cheese. Thank G-d I don't keep kosher!















At another tapas bar in Madrid, attempting to teach English to the dead bull on the wall.













The majority of my stay was in Madrid, but I also took trips to other cities. In Segovia, this Roman aqueduct still stands and stretches right across the town.

Khrisslyn and I at Franco's tomb.












Khrisslyn and I having THE BEST sangria EVER at a lovely restaurant called "Aldopho's" in Toledo.










A view of Adolpho's from above. In the foreground, Victoria (from my classes) and her Italian boyfriend were also visiting Toledo and joined us for dinner. In the background, I'm waving at Khrisslyn to stop taking drunken pictures and come help us finish off the sangria and gourmet tapas (which were mercifully NOT ham and cheese for a change!)


The inside of a simple but beautiful synagogue in Toledo. This was one of only three synagogues that still exist in Spain. One other is in Toledo and the other is in Cordoba. The rest were destroyed or converted to churches during the Inquisition. Notice the Muslim/Arabic influenced architecture. Both Toledo and Cordoba were towns where all religions co-existed peacefully until 1492.








A view over the river that surrounds 3/4 of Toledo.









Another use for a bidet...!














This is outside the 'Alcazar' (castle) in Cordoba. Very pretty and the gardens inside were a glimpse of paradise.












Inside the 'Mesquita' (mosque) in Cordoba. Breath-taking....!












Cappucino at an Italian cafe in Cordoba.