Fighting Words

Political Protest- As I walked to noon Mass at Santo Tomé today, I passed a large crowd gathered outside the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall/government building). They carried big signs and banners, and were protesting something involving the prime minister f Italy, Berlusconi.

I´m not informed enough about politics to know what they were protesting exactly, so I looked it up afterwards. Apparently a Toledo factory owned by Berlusconi is closing, leaving 120 workers jobless. The plant will move to Italy to create jobs there. Here is a news article about the situation (apologies to my English-speaking readers):
http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5ifLYYdZRXhzXYikiGv8OMQykq9bw

Hand-crafted swords-
After Mass, I shopped for Dave´s upcoming birthday present. I love wandering through the narrow, cobblestone streets and discovering hidden treasures. Today I found the Fabrica (factory) of Mariano Zamorano, an incredible place that produces the Damascene swords for which Toledo is famous. A friendly older gentleman showed me around, demonstrating various steps in the creation of their hand-made swords. Before my eyes, he sharpened an iron bar into a lethal blade. In another room, a similarly ancient craftsman whittled flawless wooden handles. They demonstrated the process of fitting the pieces of blade and handle together. Amazing.

While I didn´t buy a sword (sorry, Dave), I left in awe at the history of this place. My guide told me that the factory is 120 years old, and has been in his family all this time. He is a Zamorano, and all their swords carry the famous mark ¨MZ¨ - Mariano Zamorano.