Valencia Rocks!

Valencia rocks!  There's no two ways about it!  Infact, I think I like it better than Barcelona.  Yes, you heard right.  Only 300 and some odd kilometres south of Barcelona by fast train (Euromed) and on the Mediterranean, Valencia is the third largest city in Spain.  It is a big old city with lots of history, but at the same time it is very modern and new, open and green, and I really like that.  There's lots going on.  The people somehow are friendlier, and they speak a lot more Spanish than they do here in Barcelona.  Okay, they do speak of bit of "Valentian" (kindof like Catalan), but you mostly only see and hear Spanish.  That in itself is something to holla' about! whoop whoop!  And it's a few degrees warmer than Barcelona too.  Double whoop whoop!

The view of Valencia from my hotel window and the Rio del Turio (an old riverbed converted into a park with cycling and running paths 7 kms long!)

Placa de La Reina - Valencia's main placa. Taken from the top of the Touristic Bus (one of the best ways to see the city when you only have a bit of time!)

October 31, 2009.  People still sunning it up at the beach in Valencia. It was soooo awesome!  And the beach went on and on and on....

That night was Halloween - crazy making in the city of Valencia.  I'd liken it to Pamplona almost... cops just hanging around watching people smash bottles and drink till they were staggering... and it's all totally acceptable and good in Espana.  People of all ages were out. 

Myself, I went to a night club/cafe (La Bolseria) that was happening: great music, older, sexy, well-dressed crowd, and I got in ahead of the lineup because, well, I'm a single woman, don't ya know?

As you can see, wearing costumes at Halloween is something that's just starting to develop here, but the idea is well received.  By the way, one of the best hot-tuna-and-olive baguettes I have ever eaten was on this evening, about 2:00 in the morning.  Deeelicious!  How come they don't make that stuff in Canada??

The City of Arts and Sciences - the modern side of Valencia.  And everything is really quite close with great bus connections.  Of course you have that old river bed/park that winds through the city for walking or biking if you'd prefer...

If it looks warm and sunny, that's 'cause it WAS warm and sunny! 26 degrees, bright, open, and a great place to spend Sunday afternoon!  But you have to like sunshine.  If you don't, then maybe don't go to Valencia.  Infact, maybe just stay away from Spain completely.  Go to Scotland...

They were hosting some sort of bash for the Valencia Open Tennis Tournament, and I just stumbled upon it.  Apparently this type of thing is normal in Valencia, and often times they are hosted outside at the City of Arts and Sciences...sunshine, great dj music, socializing, and sipping a Clara.  Ahhhhh!  Exactly what the doctor ordered.

In summary, don't go to Valencia.  You'll have a lousy time!  (giggle!)

Now, back to my Spanish homework!

Charleen xo