Toledo 2025 - Power outage

Yes, we were expecting Toledo to be busy when we arrived but is was in absolute chaos.

Groups of tourists were being led back to their coaches, most shops were closed with their shutters down and those open were only taking cash when the batteries of hand-held paying machine ran out.

There were queues outside anywhere that sold food or water. The few bars that were open were full of people

who thought it was the end of the world and were enjoying their last drink(s) on earth - there was a camaraderie and almost a party atmosphere about them.

We only found out how serious the outage was when we arrived at our hotel - it was in complete darkness with some stroppy tourists giving the staff a hard time.

Reception had just one list of people who were expected, no lift, no computer, no photocopiers for passports, no WiFi and no key cards to rooms. The stairwells were pitch black so staff were using their mobile torches to light the way for their guests.

Fortunately our name was on the list so we were grateful.

With telecommunications down and no TV we were all chasing information whilst trying to save battery life.

Later, after out daily routine of showering and washing our clothes ready for the next day, I ventured out to find provisions and it then it was a different story - Toledo was deserted

 

Don't feel sorry for us. There was a silver lining to this - the hotel had opened the roof terrace which was normally closed on a Monday and the ice machine was still full 😊 

So what could we do other than watch the sunset and wait to see what would happen.

Normally Toledo is beautifully floodlit at night, but not tonight - only a few candlelit rooms and the occasional car headlights in the distance could be seen 

Later distant streetlights appeared which was encouraging.

Then at 22.20 a cheer went up around the city as the cathedral was once again illuminated.