Visiting Toledo in 1964 -post 19

One of the things that happened on the tour was that our bus, coming down the hill met another bus coming up the hill and they were both practically flaking off paint on their sides the road was so narrow. So were eyeball to eyeball and had to back up. After the tour, I had dinner.

From our bus to the other bus

The hotel altho not air conditioned, was very cool and almost cold. The guide said they had been having a very mild summer. It really hasn't been unbearably hot so far.

Saturday, August 1

[About Aug 2nd I think tho she didn't date the letter -- and this is from Madrid]

Last night on the train I shared a compartment with a Spanish couple, a Spanish man (who spent 3/4 of the night in the corridor) and a couple of California ladies named Kelly and Dolores. Kelly was Spanish and Dolores was American. They have apparently been over here for several months. They were traveling with just a large handbag apiece. I hope I can off-load some of this stuff at my sisters. We had tea with their teabags and the RR hot water and rolls in the morning for breakfast. I lent (gave) them wash n' dries to clean up with. I think I persuaded them to go to Lisbon. They were on the morning tour (in Granada), but didn't like it

Crosswalk in Madrid August 1st

Sunday, 2 August

Well you can see by the letterhead where I am, so I'd better begin here - backward. This afternoon I finished up my Spain shopping. I looked at little girls' dresses again and decided I had already bought the best of the lot. I also looked at Toledo work. I bought about $25.00 worth of gifts, including a $5.00 ashtray with inlaid gold. The girl told me that the man who does this work only gets 60 pesetas ($1.00) a day.

Toledo ware factory

I mailed the packages to the children and they may be opened. The book I read on the train proved to be a godsend. I went into a bookstore and bought 2 more to hoard against future long trips in Spain. However, I may not be making many more of those. This morning, I checked my bags and found all trains to Barcelona were filled for the next 4 days! I could just get on and stand for 8 hours, but even with a book (which I hadn't bought yet of course) this was not really appealing. Everyone seemed to think once I got to Barcelona, I'd have no trouble on the train. The problem now is the Spanish holidays starting at the end of the month.

Anyway, this morning, the train station had nothing, so I went to American Express and they provided me with an explanation, but no aid as far as railway seats went. I discovered I could fly to Barcelona for about $15.00 if I took a night flight. I couldn't get one tonight, so I have one for tomorrow night. So I am improving the shining hour tomorrow by taking the tour to Toledo. Today, as I said, I finished up my Spanish shopping.

The Nacional gave me a room with no fuss, and I am now having a lemonade in the lobby. I also got Bob's letter which arrived here for me on the 22nd. Sis, I've found out that nino is for a boy child. A girl is nina (Ed note: I thought THAT was elementary!)

Card from Toledo of the Alcanara bridge and San Servando castle

Dear D.

I was here in Toledo all day today and we saw the Cathedral, churches, synagogue, Alcazar, hospital (now are a museum), El Greco's house and museum and had lunch. Altogether it was a full day. I bought some slides for the first time, of the cathedral where picture taking was not allowed. We had a nice, but strenuous day. I am now on my way to fly to Barcelona. I didn't buy a picture of myself looking fat and harassed that they took of me coming out of the El Greco Museum.

Love Mummy

Improving the Shining Hour

I didn't write much about the tour of Toledo other than the post card I sent to my daughter. We took a bus to Toledo and we had time to view the city from across the river. Unfortunately, many of these photos of mine were over exposed.