Our Final Excursion Deserves Two Posts

Well hello family and friends. We got back from Madrid yesterday (which included day trips to Segovia and Toledo) and had a blast. Sometimes I think we lose the wonder of what it means to be in a different country and see grand cathedrals and breathtaking artwork every time we travel to cities that are older than the United Sates, but Madrid still managed to keep me in awe of its splendor with one word: Prado. El Museo del Prado is arguably the best museum in the world possessing works by Pablo Picasso, Francisco Goya, Diego Velazquez, Rembrandt, and El Greco. We also went to the Escorial (a place where some of the kings of Spain are entombed), the Royal Palace (with over 2000 rooms, this place is humongous), and El Rastro (the biggest open-air market in Madrid).

In Segovia we saw the aqueducts that the Romans used more than a thousand years ago (above). In Toledo we were taken aback by the splendor of the cathedral, also built so very long ago.

After one dinner at the restaurant near our hostel we were serenaded by a guitarist and singer duo that had many of us clapping and even dancing along. They played classic Spanish hits from Latin America like La Bamba and the Macarena as well as some American favorites like Killing Me Softly.

Pray for us so that we may finish this final stretch strong. Even though we are so far away and we have all these amazing things to experience, always know that there are always thoughts of you guys in the back of our minds.

-adrian jaimon

The beautiful view of Toledo

Some of us at the restaurant (with their colorful napkins!)