Spain 5: Un dia en Toledo

Who knew you had to wait in line to get tickets..boo

Since we had time to waste because we missed the train we meant to be on, we were able to cross some items off the list...

While trying to find the train memorial, we stumbled upon these lovelies...

#2: See the Memorial to March 11

Inside the circle is a big plastic column with words in all different languages.

#1:  See the gardens at Atocha

This one took a little searching, but we finally found it.

Friend Di with the gardens.

TOLEDO!

We love the Man of La Mancha!

Getting us lost...

Gorgeous architecture...this really doesn't even capture it.

Awesome cloisters

I swear, I don't look for inappropriate things, they find me.

Until next time,

Spain 4

Paella isn't on the list, but how can you not eat some??

Hola Paella!

Adios Paella...

#67: See the Goya frescoes in the Hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida

Photos weren't allowed.  Clearly, I don't follow rules well!

#64: Try the grilled chicken at Casa Mingo

I literally don't know why you would even try anything else here.  Sorry I'm a terrible tourist and didn't get a picture of the actual chicken and hard cider.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

#28: See the Guernica at the Reina Sofia.

Please click here to read about this amazing painting.

#46: Visit the Thyssen

#66: Roar with the lions in front of the Congreso de los Disputados

Once an ADPi, always an ADPi <>

#99: Enjoy the graffiti

#91: Meet an old friend for coffee

I mean, wasn't this whole trip about meeting an old friend??  Di doesn't like coffee, so I had coffee with a new friend, Laura!

Cafe con Leche...yum!

#35: Listen to jazz at Cafe Central

Ok, so we went during the day and there was no jazz.  I counted it as a half point.

#21:  See the Don Quijote and Sancho Panza statue in the Plaza de Espana

#15: Eat a sweet treat at La Mallorquina

Chocolate Napoleon 

#10: Climb to the roof of the Circulo de Bellas Artes

#41: Eat Indian food in Lavapies

Surprisingly lacking in spice, but still delish.

Numbers 28, 46, 66, 99, 91, 35, 21, 15, 10, and 41 were all done in one day. Plus a few sites that weren't on the list...

Until next time,

Spain 3

#30 Walk on Kilometer 0


This is where they calculate all distances from.  It is in the Plaza de Sol, which is a huge meeting point for Madrilenos.

Yep, that's my foot on kilometer 0

Sol

#42 Start a day with Churros at San Gines.

If you don't know what Churros are, they are these delightful deep fried batter sticks that you dip in sugar and/or drinking chocolate.  And they. are. DELICIOUS.

Di, super excited about San Gines

I'm telling you: go to Madrid just to have these.  WORTH IT.

It might look unassuming, but it is amazing.

This was not on the list, but I wanted a piece of Spanish pottery and this one was in my guidebook.  It was an adorable mom and pop shop that was literally filled to the brim with pottery.

#40 Wander up Gran Via

Gran Via is a great shopping street that also has several theaters.  The best part of it is the architecture of the buildings.

Us on Gran Via

The awesome buildings on Gran Via.  Di could tell you way more about them than I can.

#44 See the cupula of the Metropolis building

Until next time...

Spain 2

#32 Go to Plaza de la Villa

These are the street signs around central Madrid.

This Plaza has some government buildings, but that is pretty much it.

Plaza Mayor used to be the major plaza.  It was the sight of the bakery and of the butcher.  Now it is full of restaurants, cafes, tourist shops, and creepy street performers.  The architecture is gorgeous; I wish we had squares like this in Kansas.

This is the former bakery.

An street leading away from Plaza Mayor

Spain

In March, I had the opportunity to visit my friend  Diana in Madrid, Spain.  She is getting her Masters there (super jealous as I am getting mine in Kansas...)  Diana has been chronicling her journey here.  During Di's time there, she stumbled upon this interesting list of "100 Things to do in Madrid Before You Die."  She decided to complete this list before she comes back this summer.  Many of the items on the list are things I wanted to see or do.  We were discussing this list when I first arrived and Di (or one of her friends) suggested that I see how many I could complete in my week in Madrid.  Challenge accepted!  Throughout the next several blog posts, I will be sharing the 40 things I crossed off the list during my 6 days in Madrid!

#27 See the Royal Palace and the East Plaza

View inside the courtyard

The Palacio Real from inside the courtyard

The inside was ridiculous...sadly you weren't allowed to take photos inside.  Well,  did manage to get one photo before they told me not to:

Obviously I got a pic of the lion statue!

Seattle!!

Hello fearless readers!  Sorry for the absence, I have been globe trotting :)  In February, I travelled to see my BFF, Alyssa.  It is hard to be half of the USA away from a BFF, but it makes weekend trips so much more fun!!



The first day, I explored the city and visited the Bank of America building and got to see Mt. Rainier...gorgeous!

The next day, I spent the morning at Pike's Place Market!  There is so much to explore!!

Original Starbucks, obvi!

Gum Wall: Gross, but cool, too.

Obsession...

Best part of the day?  HARRY POTTER EXHIBIT!!!!

Ferry Ride to Bainbridge Island!

Look at the Space Needle in the background :)

Seattle was a blast and I can't wait to go back!  And I can't wait for more Alyssa time!

Reasons I love The Pioneer Woman...

If I was eating carbs, I would immediately go upstairs and make this...Ok, I would wait for the KU game to be over, but after that I would march upstairs and preheat the oven.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/02/devil-dogs/

Enjoy...don't drool on your computer :)