Submitted by Kylie Cleesattel on the 2013 summer session study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures…
Today is Tuesday, June 11 and after another long day in Madrid, today we went to Toledo, a town about an hour outside of Madrid with a beautiful view and a beautiful cathedral (a view so astounding that it can’t even be captured in a picture). Upon arriving, we took pictures at all of the tourist landmarks and toured the gorgeous church. The architecture in Spain is amazing- it is unlike anything in the United States- the attention to detail is remarkable. We stopped in a shop that sold handmade, ornate plates and decorative pieces. I considered getting something for my parents until the worker told me a small plate would be 280 Euros (this translates to almost $400!). Afterwards, we got lunch at a delicious restaurant in the Plaza of Toledo. I wish we had more time because some of the shops had some cute souvenirs, but the waiters and waitresses in Spain are never in much of a rush so it took almost 40 minutes just to get the check! This is definitely part of the culture difference that I’ve noticed here in Spain- no one seems to be rushing around as much as they do in the United States. So far it is a little difficult to communicate, but it is already getting easier so I am excited to see if I will be able to completely understand the language by the time I leave! Until next time!
