toledo.summer

last year around this time, you were at madrid and you made a day trip to toledo.
it's been a year... you could still remember, you arrived by train, and as soon as you step out the train, stand at the platform

you wonder if you have arrived the right destination. the train station looks too moorish to you...
a short walk to the city center...

it's like a fort city on top of a hill and a quick tour around the city will give you the out look like these...

toledo is an interesting medieval city with mixed culture, as like any city in spain, there are roman cathedrals, jewish synagogues and moorish mosques that form the mainstream architecture and that shape the history. 

and you were at a cathedral where the works of el greco were on display. you love traveling because you not only learned about the city, its people but also learned about the artist/painters, the food and the cultural values... this is your first encounter with el greco's work. and you absolutely love those portraits on the red wall and accompanied by the black and white tiles and a cooling effect of any cathedral because it's hot out there.

and this is needless to say, a heavily moorish influenced cathedral with the southern european feel.  a lovely courtyard with plenty of arched corridors and pillars. and summer roses blooming around.

and back to the city, on the quiet and deserted lanes that you walked on, it's  a silent exploration while the entire community are enjoying their siesta or munching on their elaborated lunch somewhere...

and you discovered the charms of this city, the rustic, torn and worn walls where bricks are exposed and some quiet moment all by yourself, with a feeling that you travel back in time...

and some interesting doors that lurking you to walk in to discover the inner world beyond the door and interesting walls all around the old city.