The fairytale...(M2)

For getting to the hostel so late at night Connie and I managed to wake up pretty early at 7:00a.m. to start off our day. We decided to take a day trip to Segovia which is about 2 hours by Renfe outside of Madrid. While eating breakfast at our hostel we met a canadian who decided to join us for the day. Anna was traveling for 6 months by herself. That is brave! We all jumped into the crazyness of the metro and made our way to the train station where we bought our tickets to Segovia.

When we arrived we headed to the information desk (which is fast becoming my best friend in every new city) and oriented ourselves. The thing about taking the train is that some of the stations are a little farther out of downtown but, we started walking toward the city center and finally came upon this gorgeous sight...

Little me and the big old aqueduct

It is really hard to describe what I felt when I saw it but, I had to stop and breathe it all in. Here are some fun facts about the aqueduct...

* constructed in 1st century AD, over 2000 yrs old
*875 yards long, 98.5 ft high
*built from mortarless granite has stood firm all these years with no cement or mortar
*still functions!

After we saw the aqueduct we headed further into Segovia and stumbled upon this cathedral. I didn't know this was going to be here before we came so it was a wonderful surprise. Work started by the order of Charles V began in 1525 and it took over 200 years to complete. You can see why...

Cabildo Cathedral de Segovia *fun fact: Isabella I was proclaimed queen of castile in this spot

I have to admit that the main reason I wanted to go to Segovia was for the castle. I know, I know... I did say I wanted to shoot myself if I saw anymore castles but, this is different. This castle is the one that girls dream of being whisked away to when they are little. This castle was home to kings and queens and, this is the castle that was the model for the original Disneyland castle. The happiest place on earth has a castle modeled after the one I visited. Wow. Behold the Alcázar...

Finally, found the castle I was dreaming of:) notice the birds above I captured for dramatic affect

Not only was the castle amazing on the outside it was fantastic on the inside. The ceilings were all intricately decorated and so were the windows. The stain glass was beautiful. Here is one of the ceilings...

I know I look kinda creepy but take a look at that ceiling

We ate our lunch on the tower of the castle which was 141 steps to the top. I have it pretty much down to a science now. I go to the grocery store and buy fruit, bread, salami, and cheese (usually spliting with someone) and then I spend 2 euros or less and, get to eat at some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Me, Connie, and Anna on top of the world!

We later had a café con leche in a little shop and that is when Connie found out that we had someone to stay with for the next four nights. This was great because the hostel cost us 12 euros the night before and for four more nights it would have cost us more especially since they charge more on the weekend. We made it back on the train to Madrid and that is when we met the man we would be staying with for the next four nights...