May 20th

Wow…..seriously that’s all I can say! Valencia is such a beautiful city….there is nothing that I can compare it to! NewYork city is too busy, too dirty, and doesn’t have as much history. Richmond: has some history, a lot of bad places, and it’s still just as busy! Valencia has SO much history!

 I went to one of the oldest cathedrals in Valencia! There was so much history in just one place. You can tell because of the doors that go into the cathedral. The doors that come to a point at the top are gothic style and were built early on at the beginning of the building on the cathedral; however, the doors that were rounded on top were roman style doors that were built years later. The inside of the cathedral was HUGE! I think my church could fit at least five times into the cathedral! I attempted to take a picture without a flash….however…..mass was going on! Haha.

^^^My attempt of taking a picture of the cathedral^^^

Attached to the cathedral is the bell tower….so naturally….we climbed to the top. Well, almost at the top is the place where the bells are rung….so….again, naturally we stop and see what’s going on….THEN…they started to ring the bells and we stayed…so….here is a video! TURN DOWN THE VOLUME!

So the 2 days we’ve been here we’ve eaten with our host mom, Senora Esperanza. She lives alone in her apartment, but watches her 1 year old granddaughter Luna Maria during the days (which I LOVE!) She’s such a sweet lady, but you really have to get to know her first and then you realize her dry humor. She speaks totally Spanish so it was kind of hard to get to know her at first, but even after 5 meals with her I feel like I’ve gotten to know her. She fixes the most AMAZING foods….except the cauliflower that she served for lunch today..umm…I just ate ham (and later a granola bar;)) She jokes with my roommate, Taylor, because this girl loves her “sal” (salt) and Senora Esperanza says that it is bad for your corazon (heart) and cholesterol.

Today the class met at the Plaza de Ayuntamiento, which is the main square of Valencia. Here you will find city hall and the post office (which is supposed to be beautiful inside, but you aren’t supposed to take pictures…but I will try….just for you Aunt Diane because I know you’re reading!) It was beautiful. From there we went to the cathedral and saw the market which is open on Sundays where you can buy little trinkets, etc….but sorry I didn’t buy anything yet because mi tarjeta de credito (credit/debit card) wouldn’t work here yet=/ As we went home from the cathedral (without our host mom or professors!) it took us a little longer than we planned….we weren’t lost….just exploring;) We eventually found our way home but it was very confusing! While we were in the Plaza near the cathedral there was Spanish dancing going on and also a demonstration. Now when I say demonstration many think riots, etc….but that is not how things go here. It’s not like when Henrico County sold all of those Apple Laptops and people were trampled….these demonstrations are peaceful. Seriously…people walk in a circle with signs…no shouting nothing….it’s peaceful. So no worries, that’s how demonstrations go over hereJ

Once we got home and had that cauliflower and ham the three of us (Nicole, Taylor, and I) went to the beach with Amanda and Jessica (two other girls on the trip). Let me tell you, this beach is like NOTHING in the United States! The sand is so fine and soft and there aren’t many pieces of broken shells or anything. It’s BEAUTIFUL! (Kathy Warthan you would LOVE it!) The Mediterranean is so clear and blue that you can see right down through the water! It’s amazing! Also, you can see the mountains while you’re at the beach. It’s the craziest thing ever. In Virginia people say, oh yeah I like this state because it has mountains and beach; however…think about a city, just a city, with mountains and beach! It’s insane. We didn’t swim in the water but I did stick my legs in the water and boy was it cold! But it wasn’t actually bad. The coldness felt good! Nosotros tomabamos el sol (tanned) while we were at the beach. They even had little concession stands where you could buy bottled water, ice cream, chips, & candy at. It was so cool. I didn’t take any pictures but I WILL be going back and will take tons of pictures!

 After the beach we went home to dinner and had potato tortillas and pasta….oh my goodness this was so yummy! I definitely will be making potato tortillas at home! (Mom…don’t get used to me cooking….this will be an occasional thing) J

I’m only a day and a half en este viaje (in this trip) and I can tell it is going to be such a great experience! Although it took a little bit of getting used to, I’ve already started thinking in a Spanish mind set and almost typed half of this in Spanish…hence why I included some Spanish words in there for you at homeJ I start classes tomorrow morning then after class we go home for lunch and siesta! (which I love because it is built in nap time!) For dinner the class will be going out for Tapas around the city to experience a Spanish tradition!

iAdios! 



P.S. Here was my taste of France:)