A Taste for Travel

We boarded the plane in London headed to Valencia! Everyone was in a great mood and there was even a group celebrating someone’s “hen do” that we all cheered for as we boarded the small commuter plane for the 90 minute flight. However, once onboard, we were stuck on the tarmac for an hour because… the air traffic in Spain decided to strike today, so they had to find a controller. Long story short, after a worldschool lesson on culture and politics that reminded me where exactly we are, we have landed in our apartment in Spain for the next six weeks! It is completely beautiful and cozy. I’m impressed at how well appointed this small space is to meet all our needs and happy to recommend Luis as a host and his space to anyone coming this way. The location is also perfect! We are in Ruzafa (or Russafa) the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood in the Arts District. The area is clean, and super green especially for the third largest city in Spain it also has plenty of pigeons for Jagger to follow, lol! We unpacked, and after days of traveling finally settled into our new home.

We tried to make it to the customary 20:30 (or later) dinner time here, but we were starving after missing much of a lunch today with the travels. Fortunately a local spot was open at 17:30 and had a table for us right away (since no Spaniard in their right mind is eating dinner at this early hour). It didn’t take long for the server and crowd to see Zach and assume he was a local and try to chat him up, but on this first day I didn’t understand a bit of it. I am now happy to say that by day three I’m the one doing the talking… though nobody is mistaking me for Spanish. German once and French most often so far. Strangely nobody has guessed American, although there aren’t many Americans here right now. Sadly, after learning where we are from, the inevitable next question we are asked is how we feel about Trump 😣.

Regardless, back to the food…. To say the food here is the best I have ever eaten in my life… would be a massive understatement.

The bravas with aioli was just a simple thing we ordered to please a kid (basically billed as big french fries) and is literally the most delicious food I have ever eaten to date. Two tapas a dessert and a couple glasses of wine (Fanta Limon for Jagger) and just about 35€ later and we were stuffed and happy. Zach most of all at such a cheap price for dinner for three! Accountants, what are you gonna do with them, lol! Making for a cheerful (but looong) journey up our five flights of stairs to get home. Now La Flaca de Ruzafa has become a landmark for our neighborhood and a touchstone during our daily wanderings.

The next morning we got up and walked to Mercat De Russafa our local market to get some fruit and veggies and such, so we could start cooking at home. That evening, Bhakti and Jagger made a delicious fennel and veggie soup and we did tapas from the market for dinner. A few of our travel board games got played and then early to bed.

The next Day was Saturday, this was a super active day in Valencia where families, kids and fun are everywhere to be seen! We started the day at DDL or Dulce de Leche, our local pastry and coffee shop. Jagger loves their Acai Bowl and the Brunch at 9€ can’t be beat!

Bellies full and ready for adventure, we headed to the tram to figure out Valencia’s mass transit system. We decided to take the tram to Mercat Central and visit the Valencia Cathedrol. Jagger took some amazing pictures with his new camera (thanks grandma and grandad).

Bhakti has a knack for always walking into an active Mass when visiting these religious sites, so we were able to witness the enthusiasm and excitement of the Spanish people as they celebrated Saturday Mass amidst the dark and mesmerizing paintings and the extraordinary architecture.. All the fresco are so intricate and each archway was crafted carefully and elegantly. Just like Indiana, we searched for the Holy Grail, and by all accounts, we found it. The cup housed here is presumed to be the real deal. All in all… in coming to Valencia… we have chosen wisely. IYKYK

Onward to the next stop at the central candy store, which was an impressive sight for sure! Next we had our first experience of Horchata (a Valencia creation!) made with tiger nuts and so sweet we could barely even make our way through one of them!

We found a local game store as we walked towards lunch and discovered the popularity of Warhammer in Spain is not to be outdone! There was a lively tournament going on, and some very focused players! Of course it was fun to watch.

Tummies started rumbling though, and we made our way onward through the streets, marveling at all the orange trees! Jagger tried to grab one at each spot. Later we learned they aren’t edible and found this cool article (and shocking video) that brought us some serious belly laughs!

Finally, we headed to a famous eatery and finally got our first taste of what Valencia is famous for… Paella! IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

After such a full day, we headed home where Jagger was due for his weekly Minecraft Club meetup with friends back home. He was so happy to get to connect with his friends and having so much fun, when suddenly there was the loudest boom sound coming from the street below! We looked out the balcony to see a huge parade! Carnival in Spain! Complete with music, clowns, political protest, cultural demonstrations and the finest music! We had to wear earplugs for what I’m sure will not be the last time this festival season! The parade went on for hours and just as I got worried we might not be getting any sleep that night, as quickly as it began, it was over. Cleaned up and silent like it never happened by 21:30 sharp.

What an amazing first few days! It’s hard to believe we have only been here for two and a half days! It feels all new and somehow, also like home already. ❤