Toledo and Spanish Bathroom Norms

In the middle of my Spanish lengua class today, the profesora stopped class to have a little discussion with us about going to the bathroom. Apparently, getting up during class to go to the bathroom is considered both strange and "maleducado," or ill-mannered, in Spanish culture. This little informative chat took me by surprise because I've never thought twice about doing this at home during a class. This got me thinking about other cultural differences that have stuck out to me since settling into Spain. One of the biggest is taking coffee to go. They don't do that here! Coffee is a social time for sitting, chatting, and sipping. As much as I'd like to get on board with this charming image of a leisurely European breakfast-time, sometimes a girl needs her coffee to get through that hour and a half medieval history class. Not that images of Gothic architecture don't pump my blood with adrenaline, but I gotta say a latte for the walk to class would be nice. Oh well.

Last Friday my program took a day trip to Toledo. We spent the day discussing the city's historical importance, especially during the reign of the Christian kings. We walked through some magnificent cathedrals and two of the remaining Jewish synagogues from those times. Walking around these shuls, walls lined with Hebrew verses and arks still in tact, I felt such an immediate connection to my own heritage and past. It was a really cool feeling to stand in the same place where Jews came to pray so many hundreds of years ago.

Ark in Toledo synagogue

After some more cathedrals and a bakery run for some unreal marzipan, we headed back to Madrid. It was a great day in a truly historic and beautiful place. It's easy to forget how much history there is in this country and how far back it goes, and visiting a city like Toledo was a good reminder.

Overlooking the city!

This weekend, I am traveling with a few friends to the southern city of Cádiz to celebrate Carnaval. From what I've heard Carnaval in Spain is sort of like a combination of American halloween and Mardi Gras...I can work with that. I'll report after the weekend!