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After our big trip with the O’Malley’s, we settled down for a couple of weeks and only went as far as England. We took the ferry across the Channel and enjoyed Pentecost weekend with friends in London. The young adults there are a very international group! Here (below) at this Indian restaurant, is represented England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, Nigeria, and the U.S. On the left you see the fast boat we took from Cherbourg to Portsmouth. I didn’t take a lot of pictures in the UK, because it was cloudy and rainy the whole time. It felt strange speaking English again (to people around us) after so much French and Spanish!
Back home, it was really warming up. The wind stopped and the sun came out and we enjoyed some beautiful weather for Vauville. Good weather for hiking, and for our first BBQ! Bill Johnson from Asheville, NC happened to be in Europe and came by to see us. We enjoyed his company for a weekend. He was determined to get some pictures of the sheep for his kids back home! Yes, that’s a Mercedes he’s standing on to get that shot…We took a 5.5 km walk out to Goury (tip of our peninsula, with a lighthouse and rescue station) followed by wading in the Channel, and enjoyed a sunset dinner on the Nez Jobourg.

Madrid II Old and New

We visited the Temple of Debod on one of our bus stops. It is a 4th century B.C. Egyptian temple that was donated to Spain in 1968. It was moved from the banks of the Nile just before the area where it was built was flooded by the Aswan High Dam. We didn't actually get to see the inside because it was, of course, closed when we arrived. I chose this picture (courtesy of Shari) because it captures the old and the new of Madrid. It is a thriving, busy modern city but still has standing churches and buildings dating back to the 15th century, and excavations have revealed that people have occupied the area far before that. Europe is different from the States in this way--we are such a young country. Our oldest buildings in America are like new construction in comparison to here!

On this trip we discovered why Madrid is aptly named "the city that never sleeps." The restaurants started getting busy around eleven p.m. or later, and people were out (in the streets, clubs, restaurants, etc) all night. After all that they then sleep in late, eat breakfast, work a little, lunch and then siesta when the city shuts down at mid-day, then work a little more before doing it all over again (so we were told).

Below you see me in La Puerta del Sol by a statue of the symbol of Madrid: El Oso y El Madrono (the bear and the Madrona tree). On this trip we enjoyed eating in the many Plazas (below, eating tapas in the beautiful Plaza Mayor at sunset), strolling the Botanical Gardens, exploring the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and Shari and Pat went to the Prado. There are museums and exhibitions galore, too many to see in one short trip. We only wish we hadn't missed the Royal Palace three times...

Madrid I

On Thursday morning we took a train from Toledo to Madrid. As we rode through the streets of the city, I was impressed with the size and ornate facades of the buildings. Everything is so big, and so old! We found our hotel in the middle of the city, on a very busy intersection near the Plaza Del Sol. The evening view from our hotel window gives an idea of the grandeur of it all.

After checking in and getting settled, we took a walk to the Plaza de Sol and then found a sidewalk café recommended by Rick Steves (our constant travel companion). We enjoyed sangrias and vegetarian paella as we sat in the sunshine. Somehow we ended up at the Ben & Jerry's across the street for dessert (it was packed!) When we came outside, we were met by a group of street musicians singing/playing beautiful Spanish songs. They reminded me of the Gypsy Kings. After lunch we walked to El Palacio Real (the Royal Palace, official residence of the king of Spain), the first time of many in which we found it closed. At least it was a beautiful walk!

...But you can only walk for so long, so we hopped on the double-decker city bus and sat on top for a tour of the city. It is huge, and incredibly busy. I don't know the names of all the buildings I took pictures of, but at least it gives you a quick photo tour of some of the famous areas of Madrid.

Toledo III

Alot of the museums/monuments were closed or under construction while we were there. After the cathedral and a nice lunch we enjoyed the Museum of Santa Cruz (Pat was looking for El Greco paintings). It was a challenge to follow the map through the maze of streets, so after a while of trying to find open attractions, we just relaxed and walked around, soaking up the city, stepping in random large churches, trying local pastries (marzipan), pausing for pictures down alleyways, taking pictures with statues, and eating tapas and drinking Sangria in the open square while contemplating a nearby political rally/protest. Good times!











Behind Shari and I you can see the remnants of an ancient bridge over the Tagus river.



















Here, you can see local grafitti. Pat, the camera loves you!

"Holy Toledo!"

Toledo was once the capital of Spain, and as such was also the religious center. We visited the Catedral de Toledo (left) on our first morning here. The original cathedral was destroyed in the 13th century and this Gothic cathedral was buil on its foundations. We marveled at the immense paintings, interesting religious and pagan art and sculptures, fresco, and incredible architecture. It felt more like a museum than a place of worship.

Toledo I

Ahh.. Toledo! After a month of grey skies, wind, and cool temperatures in Normandy, we were happy to step off the airplane in Spain to sunshine and warmth! We took a taxi southwest of Madrid to the beautiful medieval walled city of Toledo, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The entire place is one big historical monument.

As soon as we got to our hotel, we changed into summer clothes and went to the roof to enjoy a view of the mountaintop city. No wind!!








Because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together here for centuries, Toledo is also known as the "city of the three cultures." Everywhere, we saw churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues.

The streets are very narrow and the old buildings tall--it was neat to see the city at different times of the day as the sunlight hit the streets at different angles and bathed the stucco walls and tiled roofs in warm light.