Things got a little medieval for a while there.

We arrived in Toledo about two hours after leaving Madrid, and I immediately fell in love. Our local guide told us that Corpus Christi is a huuuuuuge deal here, and not surprisingly, Corpus Christi, Tex. is one of Toledo's sister cities.

Our tour guide with a crazy-complicated map of Toledo.

The cathedral in Toledo is enormous. We didn't get to go inside because we were there on the Epiphany, and there were masses all day long, but our guide told us that it is the second-wealthiest cathedral in the world - behind only St. Peter's Basilica.

The Catedral Primado Santa Maria de Toledo

The residence and offices of the archbishop, connected to the cathedral by a walkway over our heads.

Toledo is breathtaking. This view made me think of Rivendell in Lord of the Rings. #nerdmoment

Almost the entire ISA Salamanca group en uno foto!

Straight chillin with our homie Don Quixote

Carcamusas, a traditional Toledo meal consisting of pork, beef, and potatoes. Our waiter warned us it would be spicy, but apparently everything is spicy to Spaniards. If you thought Spanish food was like Mexican food, nope.

We checked into our hotel outside the city after lunch, where I FINALLY met my gorgeous, brilliant, sweet roommate, Daniela! She had had two flights delayed and had to find her own way to Toledo to meet the group. After a long siesta and showers, we and some other students took taxis back into Toledo to see the city by night. We got super crazy with our tapas, Cinco Estrellas (gross) and nutella crepes, let me tell you. And we only got a LITTLE lost!

Again, the lights. Are. Everywhere.

Just a little Brad Pitt to get you through the rest of my blog post. They love the man here, but all I can think of is this.

Monday morning, we drove an hour or so to Avila, a charming little town (I can't believe I just used that phrase; clearly I'm going to be a cliche travel writer when I grow up) that was somehow even more medieval than Toledo.

It had spiky tower wall things, for Pete's sake.

The restaurant where we ate lunch looked like what I imagine Medieval Times to look like, but the illusion would have been more complete without the Spanish pop music blasting out of the speakers. No photo, sorry guyz.

La Plaza in Avila

The other side of the Plaza

The one thing I knew about Avila, of course, was that St. Teresa de Avila was, in all probability, from there (I was right. I'm right a lot.). There was a very cool little area near the Plaza paying homage to her.

Me being awkward one last time in Avila.

From Avila we drove directly to SALAMANCA! The excitement in the bus was crazy. Everyone was getting really nervous, but it was a relief knowing we'd finally get to meet our host families and stop living out of our suitcases.

My first view of Salamanca!

My second view of Salamanca!

AND NOW I'M HERE AND LIFE IS SWELL. More later, I've gotta go buy stamps and practice not getting lost in the city...hasta luego!