Toledo.

This past week I decided to do something that was just a bit out of my comfort zone, but so far I am rather content with myself that I actually did it.  My New Year’s resolution was to get down to business and put in a greater effort at learning Spanish.  Before 2010 I did not study much and just banked on the fact that the language would sort of soak into my brain through osmosis.  Well, so far in the year 2010 I have started to study a bit more and I went ahead and created a profile for myself on one of those language exchange websites.  Since creating this profile I have received just a few requests from the citizens of Spain. 

There is a great demand for native English speakers over here and by no means am I ever going to be able to fill this void, but I might as well try.  For those of you who do not know exactly what I am talking about a language exchange website helps set up people who are interested in learning one and other’s languages.  So, people who contact me are native spanish speakers who want to learn english and in return they help me with my spanish.  I went and met up with my first language exchange partner this past week and please do not worry, I made sure to let my roommates know where I was going and with whom I would be meeting up with.  Since this first exchange I have had one more and to say the least I think that I have had pretty good luck so far.  Both conversations were great and both were very different.  My first partner spoke English fairly well, but my second partner had just started taking English classes.  I actually preferred my second partner over the first because I had to speak in Spanish the whole time and was forced to think of different ways to describe what I was trying to say.  Besides practicing my Spanish, I think I have also gained a few more friends which is always a plus when in a foreign country. 

In-between these conversation exchanges I was also presented with my first opportunity to ride on a mo-ped.  Sarah Crooks’s finger has not improved much in the past week so she is still forced to watch from the sidelines, which means that I am by myself with Charly during Thursday’s shooting session.  This past Thursday I was waiting for Charly to come and pick me up when all of a sudden I saw a man ride his mo-ped right up onto the sidewalk where I was standing.  Sure enough, it was Charly.  In college I used to love catching rides with my teammates on their mo-peds (B-Mac), we were never going very fast but I still got such a rush from the ride.  Well, I definitely got a taste of that same rush with Charly and perhaps a little bit more.  In Europe, motorcycles and mo-peds pretty much do whatever they want, when they want.  When all the other cars are waiting patiently for the light to change, mo-peds drive right on by not giving a second thought to waiting in line.  As we were maneuvering our way between the cars I could have easily reached out and touched them, but instead I thought it best to maintain my grip on the backseat. 

After a successful shooting day I was feeling better and better about the weekends up and coming game.  We were scheduled to play against, Platges de Mataro, a team from Barcelona that looks an awful lot like the L.A. Lakers, minus the 7 foot frames and bulging muscles.  We lost to them early in the year by a margin of 6 points and there was no way we were going to let them beat us again, especially on our home floor.  I do not think that we were ever trailing throughout the course of the game.  We ended up winning, 65 to 48.  All smiles and cheers, we gathered at center court standing arm in arm and belted out the song that we sing in the locker room before every game, No me Doy por Vencido.

After the game I showered quickly and jumped into the car of our team captain, Ana Aritzmendi-Milan.  After a kiss on each cheek she wished me farewell and watched me as I walked into the Atocha train station.  Just a couple weeks ago it was brought to my attention that my friend, Alissa, would be coming to Spain and staying in Toledo.   Alissa and I were actually roommates during my 6 week study abroad stint in Venezuela.  I never thought that we would also spend time together in Spain, but here we are.  I had heard only fabulous things about Toledo and since I did not have to practice until 7pm on Monday night I thought, why not?  Toledo is located just 70 km outside of Madrid and with a fast Ave train the trip is a quick 30 minute power nap, just what the doctor ordered.  I arrived in Toledo around 10:30pm and was welcomed by a train station that was taken right out of one of my childhood story books.  High arching ceilings, colorful tiled walls and stone flooring, Toledo knew how to make a darn good first impression. 

A night out! Who looks foreign?

Standing in-front of the cathedral in Toledo.

Over the course of the next day and a half or so I was given the opportunity to catch up with an old friend while taking in the sites of Toledo at the same time.  Toledo is a truly astonishing city, not nearly as big as Madrid but larger than your average town.  A census taken in 2007 showed a population of almost 79,000.  The old part of town is built on a hill and is surrounded by an exceptionally handsome looking stone wall.  The interior streets are just as impressive but a tad on the confusing side to novices like myself.  Alissa informed me that the streets were made to be confusing on purpose so that if an army did make its’ way into the city that they would not have an easy way finding their way around.  Many streets end in dead ends while others send you around and around in circles.  I was fortunate enough to have my own personal tour guides. 

Over the last year and a half or so I have been blessed with a handful of opportune moments that have allowed me to witness several of Europe’s immaculate cathedrals.  So far, each cathedral has shared similar characteristics while also being completely unique and distinctly beautiful from the others.  Toledo’s cathedral was built over a span of years from 1226-1493.  An interesting piece to Toledo’s history is that it was home to Christians, Muslims and Jews.  The Cathedral was built not only with baroque intentions but with a muslim influence as well.  We were not able to go inside, but that opportunity will arise again in about one month when my parents arrive.  Another fascinating nuance of Toledo is its tourist shops that are full to the brim with shields, swords and other Knight like paraphernalia.  In years past the city was famed for its production of iron and is still a center for the production of knives and other things made from steel.  

Along with enjoying the sites, we also enjoyed the tapas.  Unlike Madrid, many of Toledo’s bars provide their customers with a complimentary tapa to go along with their drink.  The scene is flat out incredible.  A person can put in their order for a drink, go find their seat and then be greeted just a few short minutes later with a cold glass accompanied by a delectable little tapa, what service! 

Leslie’s Loose Ends

 I do not know exactly what is going on today, February 2nd at 1:40pm, but I can see smoke rising from the church and the loud blasts of something (not fire works), could be heard once again.  Typical.

 My confession.  Charly and I played one on one after my shooting session on Thursday and the 32 year old beat me, fair and square.  We played to 11, win by two.  The final score was 16-14.  I do not think I will ever hear the end of this. 

 Our apartment is basically a hostel, we have had 3 extra people living with us over the past 3 weeks. 

 Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name?  I did not know this until just today, but Leslie has two different meanings, “holly garden” or possibly “the gray castle,” interesting. 

take care everyone,
Leslie