Toledo

My experience in Spain has been nearly perfect thus far, and, as it comes to a close, I have only one regret....my blog is so not up to date! It is, however, fun to look back through my pictures and recap my adventures as I slowly but surely recount the time here. I apologize if the written descriptions get slightly neglected in these next few, but, lets be honest, you all really read for the pictures anyways :) Next on my list is to update: Toledo....

Toledo, the city on the hill, is just a short ride outside of Madrid. Known for its swords, Greco painting, and Cathedral (como todos los ciudades aqui), Toledo harmonizes three of the most distinct cultures in the world. It is a perfect conglomeration of Christian, Moorish, and Jewish culture which can be seen in the architecture, structure, and general atmosphere of the city. It is one of the few cities in the world where these three cultures were actually able to coexist peacefully for a time (albeit a very short time) and thus exhibits a ambiance entirely its own. 

Lexi and Jenny ...my running buddies :)

"El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz" (El Greco)

Catedral 

Te Amo

Brooke

Andalucia

Once again I am a couple weeks behind, pero es la vida! A few weeks ago we traveled down south to the region called Andalusia. I say this every time we travel to a new place, but... I really think this has been my favorite trip thus far. We visited some of the most well known landmarks of Spain, and enjoyed the warm weather and sunny cities. Boy, was I glad to see the sun! It amazes me how, within the same country and only a couple hours of driving, we can feel like we are in a totally different place. I love discovering the unique nuances, auras, and customs of the different regions. During this particular excursion we stopped in Consuegra, Cordoba, Sevilla, y Granada.

Consuegra

At this point they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that are on that plain.

"Fortune," said Don Quixote to his squire, as soon as he had seen them, "is arranging matters for us better than we could have hoped. Look there, friend Sancho Panza, where thirty or more monstrous giants rise up, all of whom I mean to engage in battle and slay, and with whose spoils we shall begin to make our fortunes. For this is righteous warfare, and it is God's good service to sweep so evil a breed from off the face of the earth."

yes, this is the site that inspired the infamous windmill scene in Don Quixote!

sometimes we pretend we are a girl band :)

Cordoba

the famous arches of la Mesquita

Rebecca, Sarah, Alyssa

Reales Alcazares

Sevilla

I LOVE THIS CITY!

this is normal :)

largest gothic cathedral in the world!

climbing the tower of the largest gothic cathedral in the world

Christopher Columbus' tomb inside the largest gothic cathedral in the world

palace adjacent to the largest gothic cathedral in the world 

just having some gelato next to the largest gothic cathedral in the world

Sevilla is a city of colors

and oranges :)

view from our hotel

pretty friends

Granada

yes, this is the home of the famous Alhambra!!
A little history: The Alhambra was a self-sufficient fortress/ palace that housed the Muslim monarchy in the 13th and 14th century and could function autonomously from the rest of the city. It's architecture exhibits the perfect culmination of Andalusian art with lots of colorful tiling, intricate arches, and delicate water features. The expansive grounds provide an excellent photographic layout for aspiring photographers such as myself, and I may have gone a little camera happy :)

once again...meet the band :)

Te Amo,

Brooke