I got one full day to do touristy stuff. I hooked up with work friends and we hired a private guide for a day trip to Toledo.

Lots of history, going back to Roman times.

We walked all around the former Jewish quarter, which is identified with these little tiles. The guide made a big point of how Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together peacefully (albeit in separate neighborhoods) for hundreds of years in medieval times.

There’s our guide in a ceramics shop housed in a 13th century cellar. I bought an olive oil jug. Toledo was also famous for its high quality steel, but I already have a kitchen knife souvenir from Germany purchased in 2001! It turns out you don’t need to buy a whole lot of good knives in a lifetime.

There was a ton of architecture, befitting a walled city of that age. But here’s pictures of the architectural details I tend to focus on:

Lots of good manhole covers etc.

These little water meter covers have almost all been stolen for souvenirs, the new ones are plain. Just like in New Orleans.

I’ll do a whole Spanish door knocker post later…

Streets were being covered for the upcoming festival of the Annunciation.

We ended our little trip with a big boozy lunch… magnifico!