crosscountry roadtrip

Yesterday, we made the drive from Madrid to Seville in the southern part of Spain known as Andalucía (from the Arabic Al Andalus, the Moorish term for Spain). Let me tell you, defensive driving in Madrid is a rendundant expression. We drove across the region known as La Mancha ("parched earth" in Arabic) which appeared to be an accurate description. Along the way, we saw several of these -very- large bulls, which, of course, remind Spaniards of their national symbol in case they forget.
Along the way, we were able to stop in Toledo, (the city formerly known as the capital) until 1562, when Felipe II moved it to Madrid. Toledo would have been the capital for Ferdinand and Isabel who financed Columbus. I guess we I am a little Columbocentric since we were listening a book while we drove down in our speedy VW golf. We visited the cathedral and of course the marzipan shop while we were there.

side trip to segovia

Guess who has been studying Rome in their social studies class and was quite interested in seeing a 2000 year old aqueduct? That's right, Lydia. Turns out the Romans set up a fort on a rocky promontory (good for defense) but needed a water supply. Solution? Of course! Build a 9-mile aqueduct, keeps the centurions from getting too bored as well. Pictured above are both the aqueduct and the current Alcázar (castle) which sits atop the site of the old Roman fort. This one is only about 150 years old, since the last castle burned down in the 1860's.