His idea, or as Einstein liked to call it, theory, considers the notion that space and time are not separate, but one and the same thing. As a result, the faster you move through space, the slower through time. But that doesn’t seem to equate when you’re late and frantically rushing to make an appointment.
Have you ever considered the speed with which the Spanish utter their sentences, compared to us English? Theirs seems rocket propelled. More often than not, just as noisy. The fact that they co-exist within Einstein’s conceptual Spacetime Continuum, proves that they are capable of speaking many more words within the same amount of given time. Their lightning fast speak can cause time to slow down. Even effecting others in close proximity. Just wait in queue behind a couple of nattering Spaniards and time literally does stand still.
They are not alone . . .
It’s Friday. We arrive and pitch up on Camping El Greco, Toledo. Just to make us feel fully at home, major week-end celebrations break out the other side of camp. An all day party starts to invade and bend the space around our ears. The pounding never-ending beat stretches irritatingly across our Spacetime Continuum. It subsides at 12.15am.
With previous experience of late-night Spaniards, Mr S is prepared.
Day 11 – As the crow flies, Toledo old town is just a 2K flight downstream. By bus, or foot, it’s nearly double. So, a lazy morning is followed by a lazy bus ride. Our Guru underground walking tour is set to start at 2.30pm.
L72 drops us within striking distance of our central meeting point. Within the impressive city walls, Old Town is a collaboration of small open plazas and undulating dark narrow alleyways; silently wishing that the sun might shine their way one day. However, necessary shade providers during the hotter months.
Alberto, four years a Guru guide, navigates our maze-like route in true Pac-Man style. His fourteen groupees in tow of his pink and blue flag.
Alberto tells us that nowadays Toledo life goes on above three layers of its mostly hidden physical history. Roman, Arab and Christian. Each conqueror in turn building on top of the conquered.
Likewise, 14th, 15th & 16th century society was tri-layered with Christians holding power; the Islamic community as the workers – everything constructed then was Muslim built; and naturally the city’s finances were run by the Jewish community.
Many of Toledo’s households have a ‘cellar’ door, leading to a little bit of history. Our tour takes in Roman, Arabic, and Judaic baths.
Two hours later we’re back in the blue.
7 Stink Bugs let loose over two days . . .
Saturday is still party time. Ear-buds to the rescue once more.