Holy Toledo and a few tips from the locals....

Hola my wonderful friends and family,
Well this past weekend my crazy roommates and a few other tag alongs( known as my guy friends Chris and Jimmy) decided to go on a few day trips. SLU Madrid where I am studying offers educational day trips, a total of 4 that cost 40 Euros for transportation to and from along with a few tours of the main attractions. BUT since SLU is so giving two trips will be discounted to half price if you sign up in time. Well my group wasn't exactly punctual about signing up for these trips so we were wait listed....so we talked to our wonderful host mom Ana and she suggested we go on our own. The public transportation system in Europe is so much nicer than in the U.S. so we looked into the idea of taking a bus to the places. We realized that we could go to both the cities the school was going to for cheaper. So Saturday we woke up and went to Segovia which is a small town about an hour bus ride away. Segovia is known for having a Roman aqueduct, a beautiful cathedral and an Alcazar( which is french fortress). This Alcazar is believed to be the inspiration Walt Disney used to design the Disney castle at Disney World. Upon arriving in Segovia we quickly realized the town was very small, and it was obvious we were tourists by the hundreds of groups photos we were taking as well as us stopping at every information sign to grab a pamphlet. Anyways we continued on and the Aqueduct was beautiful and so detailed. It stood about 100 feet tall and it was amazing to think about how hundreds of years ago people designed and constructed these buildings. Next we went on a church tour. I have no pictures of this because cameras are banned in the church but thats fine because the church was so cold we could all see our breaths. The final tour we went on was the Alcazar which was amazing!! the rooms were so ornate and the artifacts they had were so cool. we took so many pictures...we even have pictures of a view from the 152 stair climb to the top of one of the towers....imagine 7 college kids running up a spiral stone staircase and you will be laughing as much as we all were trying to race up it. After this we headed to leave but not with out stopping at a pasty show to try some local food. The kiwi tart tasted so good but the best had to be the local custard dish that tasted like Christmas was baked into a dessert. It was amazing....That was our Saturday.
Sunday we ventured to another city called Toledo. It is where the phrase Holy Toledo comes from because most of the Jews who came to the Unites States came from and would refer to it as theri holy land, and also because there is a large following of both catholic and Muslim faith based in this city as well as having a Cathedral, a mosque and a synagogue all in one city of only 10,000. Toledo is also a city that is dicussed in the only Spanish book I've read of Don Quote de la Manca. Toledo is the capitol of the area of Mancha. We walked around all day but the city is literally rolling with hills the streets go up and down up and down all the time. It was a nice work out for my future bridesmaid dress wearing obligations....After all of these tours we walked around and shopped because other than being a religious hot spot Toledo is also known for their craftsmanship. This tiny town made all of the swords for the Lord of the Rings Movies. So COOL!! but they also had cheap beautiful jewelry and I bought a ring. Toledo offers a train care tour around the walls of the city which was our last adventure before returning home....It was so beautiful! I have the neatest pictures of the city and all its sights. After making a quick stop at Mcdonalds to try out their treats such as a Toblerone mcflurries....SO good we headed back home... this is where you realize just how nervous I am.
So if traveling has taught me anything it is that I have become so freaked out about being pick pocketed that I have become crazy. Rarely a minute goes by where I dont check my bag, purse or backpack for all of my belongs multiple times. At orientation they told us we will be targeted by people all the time since they all know we are Americans. Well as we get on the bus I am sitting in my seat next to Christina Huber and try to fall asleep for the hour ride home. As I go to grab my ipod I can't seem to find it. I rummage through my backpack and find my school phone my black berrry my wallet and my camera. No camera case and NO IPOD!!! I begin to feel sweaty which most of you know is not good for me! I look again and again! I tell Christina and she tells me to clam down take it all out! I did nothing. I am sure I was pick pocketed by the little boy behind me in line at McDonalds of course it was him I stood there as I payed I felt something on my leg that was it~! I was sitting there tearing up on the bus with 15 or so of my friends so upset about not having my Christmas present. I used my ipod all the time. I use it to skype my parents, email, for music and more...my world was now gone!! as I shift me weight in my seat and tell all my friends why I am upset about being pick pocketed I notice something very strange. My seat wasn't comfortable..... I look and THERE IS MY IPOD!!!! I had taken it out as soon as I got on the bus! I had to tell Christina and she gave me so much crap! Now all of my friends excessively make fun of my stupidity! Its a funny story...just not yet because it is still kinda scary.
As for the rest of my life School is going good! I can't wait for this week and the next few weeks to get more invested in classes. I would like to audit another class which basically means that I can participate in the class but do not get graded so so tests or quizzes! Its called Earths and Sciences Volcanoes..its supposed to be so interesting...and as a bonus the teacher is muy guapo and there is a trip to the Cannery Islands!!! I haven't really decided though......
As for now my dinner is ready so I better be going but I love all of you and feel free to skype me or comment so I can talk to you!!1 LOVE and MISS you ALL!!!! xoxox
Adios
Aly