Madrid & Toledo - what a difference 30 minutes makes

Arriving in Madrid a few days ago, was a shock to the system. After weeks of "charming", we were confronted with drama. Madrid is spectacular - with the urban energy that rocks you. Were we back in New York? Had we been rerouted to London or  Paris?

The buildings are dramatic in scale and history. The boulevards are broad, with tree shaded green meridians. The traffic hectic, with taxis that must be preparing for the Indy 500. The parks and squares are large, prevalent and necessary in a city where summer's normal is hot!

Madrid is museums and they are incredible! Ancient, medieval, modern, contemporary or ham yes HAM. This is a country obsessed with jamon. Even Steve had to take a look at Museo del Jamon, a popular after work gathering point. Karen found an incredible likeness in the famous flamenco performer, Señora Carina. 

Then there was Toledo. A mere thirty minutes by train, through beautiful farmland, and you arrive at a truly medieval city. Moor, Jewish and Spanish neighborhoods intertwine with narrow streets, many passable only by scooter. But tall stone buildings combined with narrow cobbled streets keep the temperature cool and the wandering challenging. It's a beautiful retreat from Madrid and worth coming back to. 

A week of the "diet gazpacho" means the pants once again fit, so it's time to end this 5-week adventure and return home - just in time for the Red Sox vs Yankee face off at Fenway that begins on the 19th. Hey - life moves on!