There's a certain slant of light

So November flew by. I'm struggling to keep my blog updated, but here are some highlights from the first few weeks of November. We had a harvest festival at school. All the students and teachers ate roasted chestnuts. I'm still not exactly sure what we were celebrating, but I can now say that I like roasted chestnuts. Here I am with Justin and Yolanda (and Joiner on the left, one of my favorite 3rd grade students.)

Carlos kindly played the bagpipes for us. And yes, he does play bagpipes in a band. We had a blast dancing around with the students.

 Right now my favorite way to study spanish is reading Harry Potter. My friend James let me borrow his copy of Sorcerer's Stone. I am learning some interesting vocabulary. 

Two weeks ago, I went to Toledo. It's an easy 22 minute train ride away from Madrid. Although the weather wasn't ideal, cold and rainy, I enjoyed my visit and hope to go back again when it's warmer. As soon as I started walking from the train station to the city, I met a Spanish couple who come to Toledo often. They were super helpful and told me where I should go and how to get there.

 I went to the Cathedral of Toledo and spent an hour or more there. Going to cathedrals can become common place when in Europe. I try not to force myself to feel anything special. In Toledo I was overwhelmed by the beauty and grace of the cathedral. I was reminded of Emily Dickinson's poem "There's a Certain Slant of Light"

There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons –
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes –

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are –

None may teach it – Any –
'Tis the Seal Despair –
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air –

When it comes, the Landscape listens –
Shadows – hold their breath –
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death –

 Toledo is the land of Cervantes, El Greco, 

 and marzipan. Although it's not my favorite dessert, the marzipan of Toledo is pretty good, especially when made by nuns. This picture is for my dad, since Forrest Gump is one of his favorite movies.

 Since Toledo is up on a hill, there are a lot of places to look out over the city. I still somehow managed not to take any very good pictures of the entire city.

All right, y'all. That's it for now. Soon I'll write about friends visiting Madrid and Thanksgiving in Malaga!