days before granada

january 5th:

Today we went to Santa Cruz Del Valle de los Caidos near Madrid and went to a large cross perched on a hill of sliced rocks. The basilica below the cross was breathtaking inside and held Franco's tomb. The cross and basilica were in the middle of a forest surrounded by green trees and mountains. Fog hid a lot of the scenery.

The monastery we went to later called El Escorial near Toledo was awe inspiring as well. The architecture was phenomenal and built around 400 year ago. The ceilings had so much detail and color it looked like what I imagine the Sistine Chapel to be like. I decided I want to name my son Luca (if I ever have one:) ) after the artist that painted a lot of the art. Everything was made of cement and granite. Our tour guide Victor was knowledgeable and was very funny. There was a library there where books hundreds of years old could be looked at and the only monastery with a working library. Only church members like monks (monjes) or nuns (monjas) can borrow the books. There at the monastery is where the kings and queens were buried. However, they were not technically buried, they were decomposed for 25 years in a special room and their bones were put into marble coffins for the people to come view. The last interesting room was an acoustic room that was set up as a dome. There were four corners and if someone was in the corner talking the other on the opposite corner could hear them clearly. If you were in the middle of the room you would miss the whole conversation! It was a physical masterpiece! Que bueno. We also saw the grand chapel where the kings and queens of Spain would go to mass. Their bedrooms are next to where the priest would speak, incase they were sick and couldn't get out of bed to hear mass. Spain is more religious than I thought!

Then it started to rain. We had lunch at a nice cafe and had two hours free time. Toledo was a beautiful and quaint town. Me and two other girls went walking in the town and up into the hills where the homes were. We were impressed by the architecture. It rained more.

There was also a life size nativity set up in the square in the town. It was quite extensive going on for blocks. Today is Spain's version of Christmas. It is Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day). Spain celebrates Christmas (25 Dec.) but only because of America.

By the time we got back to the bus we were soaking wet (mojada). We took an hour bus ride to our hotel in Toledo. We are on the second floor and have a great view. We are resting for an hour and then going out to check out the city, have some drinks and stroll around. We plan to come back tonight to go to the discoteca at our hotel. We have another day in Toledo and Monday we meet our familias and see our new home, Granada!!