Day Thirty Six: A Very Smart Move

So check out of our Valencia hotel a day early and head to Toledo. Our hotel in Valencia was OK, when we were thirty years younger. Back then we could deal with no hot water or sporadic warm water. And then we didn't care about the Internet connection. Lumpy beds? Who cared? People in the next room hearing everything we did (now it is snoring) who cared? No heat or AC? Who cared?
But now I am a little older and need those comforts. Plus it was going to be a rainy cold day and if I have to spend it somewhere, I will take a four hour ride in a car over that type of hotel.

So we leave Valencia using our wits and what little help the GPS gives us. Oh did I mention that just before we left we bought croissants as is usual. These were so bad no one could eat them. Worse than you can buy at Costco in the States.

Just outside of Valencia, we stop at a rest stop to eat, stock up on car snacks, get coffee and stretch. I buy a made to order sandwich with Iberian ham, Salami, cheese, and a warmed fried egg. And on real European bread. Delicious. It is raining lightly and the GPS thinks we are driving in a field and/or lake when in reality we are on an expressway headed towards Madrid and then a turn off towards Toledo. Starting out it couldn't find Toledo except for the one in Ohio. If it hadn't been for Linda's iPhone and unlimited data plan we would have been back to using maps! Be sure and tell your grand kids what maps are.

Good day to be in the car. we get to Toledo despite the GPS and find the parking garage where we will leave the car until we leave Toledo. Now for those of you who are not familiar with toledo, Spain, I am including a picture.

It looks a lot different now, but we have an apartment up on top of the highest hill. Here are a few pictures.

 View from our rooftop terrace.

 Looking the other way.

 From our living room window.

 Don Quixote and his pal Sancho.

We eat lunch just up the stairs from our apartment and then go out to explore the upper part of the town. Believe me, this town was built on a steep mountain/hill so it is a lot of up and down.
Back to our apartment to rest and unpack before dinner around 9:00 PM. What a difference this place is compared to where we were. It could comfortably sleep 6 people. And the little rooftop terrace is something else. Here are some night shots.

So we rest and head out into the rain on these somewhat slipery streets to a restaurant recommended by our host,

 Very narrow alleys in places.

But the restaurant is a gem and we have a very nice dinner with soft jazz playing in the background. I have Suckling pig of which I plan to have again at least once before we leave Toledo.

 From where we sat. We closed the place.

View from my seat.

Tomorrow we explore this jewel of a city by foot and by the little tourist train that goes around the city. Remember it is very hilly. I refer you to El Greco's painting once again. I say goodnight as church bells toll in the night.