Photo collage by Holly CnossenVisions of Toledo.
The most beautiful part about being in Toledo is the unbelievable sensation of being in a different era. Narrow, cobblestone roads meander to and fro through a maze of tall, thin, brown buildings with flowers hanging from their windows. These roads lead to different neighborhoods where one finds little pottery stores, lovely cathedrals and churches, and small and cozy dining areas on every corner. Gorgeous and vibrant vistas of the river and mountains dot the neighborhoods providing magnificent views surrounding the city. All this conjures images of living in a different time. But it’s not just the physical aspects of Toledo that evoke such feelings.
The city is active, yet not bustling; people on bicycles and motorcycles ride along the bumpy walkways, and the slow and easy pace of those who reside in the town create an experience that makes one feel as if they’re taking a step back into a time in which a more relaxed and easy way of life is the norm. The delicate mix of country and city is a blend I have never seen before, and the first panoramic view I sawfrom up above the city took my breath away. Toledo has stolen my heart in a way that no place ever has before. It’s a beautiful kind of old-fashioned that doesn’t exist in many places anymore. Now that I’ve left, I feel like a piece of me has been left behind forever.