Sunday 25 December 2011
"Merry Christmas!" we chorused as we snuggled in deeper to our Hilton beds in Toledo. But reason overcame the comfort and joy of the moment when we saw that the breakfast buffet would be ending soon. So much to eat (included in the room price) so little time! With a truly impressive array of local delicacies as well as good old American standards like scrambled eggs and crisp bacon (impossible to find in lands where an espresso and a croissant is a standard breakfast), we had our fill and even managed (with staff permission and encouragement) to take a few treats back to our room for later. God knows we we're NOT going to raid the ultra-pricey room mini-bar.
We opened the rest of our gifts and had the leisure of laying in bed and reading new books or eating yummy treats sent from sister Monica and brother-in-law Rick in Texas and Dian's parents in California. A brief foray downstairs to use the lobby wi-fi was followed by a nap. At 7 PM our shuttle into town awaited, but just before leaving we were able to phone Dian's parents and her brother Tim and wife Marta who were vising them from Memphis. It was good to touch base with family and specifically to thank Tim for setting up our luxurious accommodations through his status as a Hilton corporation high mucky-muck.
In Toledo the joint was jumping, a contrast to the quiet, almost deserted night before, and we wound our way down curving streets, past the big cathedral, to "Alqahira" tea house/restaurant, through a festive atmosphere which included a life-sized Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on someone's balcony. When we arrived at the restaurant, proprietor Fathi was just wiping his brow from the huge lunch party that had just left. We were seated by ourselves (it was early, of course, for a Spanish supper) in front of the large gorgeous colored glass and carved wood balcony piece he installed, and with his help ordered a variety of dishes from the menu. The food was delicious and we gave him a Three Kings Day present, his first that year, he said, and he seemed touched.
Exiting we took some more photos of the town in its Christmas attire, then meandered back to the Hilton through the crisp night air, but not before purchasing a box of the marzipan cookies that Toledo is famous for.
In Toledo the joint was jumping, a contrast to the quiet, almost deserted night before, and we wound our way down curving streets, past the big cathedral, to "Alqahira" tea house/restaurant, through a festive atmosphere which included a life-sized Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on someone's balcony. When we arrived at the restaurant, proprietor Fathi was just wiping his brow from the huge lunch party that had just left. We were seated by ourselves (it was early, of course, for a Spanish supper) in front of the large gorgeous colored glass and carved wood balcony piece he installed, and with his help ordered a variety of dishes from the menu. The food was delicious and we gave him a Three Kings Day present, his first that year, he said, and he seemed touched.
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