Tuesday, 30 December:
VALENCIA!!!
Spain’s third largest city was founded in the year 138 B.C. by retired Roman legionaries on the banks of the Río Turia who called their new city "Valentia." The Moors would later make Valencia into an agricultural and industrial center, no shock there.
Muslim
rule was briefly interrupted in 1094 A.D. when the legendary Christian knight,
El Cid Campeador, Charlton Heston in real life, rampaged through the
countryside. In 1238 A.D., the Christian forces of King Jamie I finally retook
the city once and for all.
Ace
Cobras’ lineman Roberto Dúran counseled me into making my first trip to
Valencia an overnighter. This was partly because of the 3 ½ hour train ride
from Murcia to Valencia and partly because Valencia has so much to offer.
Roberto
was absolutely correct!
There was
a hitch though, isn’t there always?
With no
wifi at La Hacienda and a cell phone that suddenly can not handle all incoming
e-mail and FaceBook notices, I was only able to use my phone effectively from a
free wifi café across the street from Murcia’s train station. Come to find out,
my AirBnB room reservation in someone’s home in Valencia fell through because
the family in question was on vacation. They notified me in plenty of time but I
could not open their e-mail until it was way too late.
There was
no wifi on the train so I would just have to sit back and enjoy the scenery and
try to work something out at a wifi café to be named later somewhere in
Valencia.
The Train Arrived in Valencia at Noon
The first
thing that I noticed after exiting the train station was the incredible
architecture. Por ejemplo . . .
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Within ten minutes of the station,
I found it . . .
Might as well have paella for lunch while
surfing for a place to sleep tonight
I found
one on Venere.com for only $35 for the night and it was only a few blocks away
from the Dehesa Santa Maria via the Mercado Central. It wouldn’t hurt to stop
and look a bit would it?
I also
discovered that in this fine Mediterranean city they speak a dialect known as
Valenciano. We still managed to communicate in the Rey’s Español.
El Mercado Central
but of
course
the mandatory Fartons Polo
So, I improvised and got both
The sugar
rush was intoxicating.
It even had a Cupola
Mushrooms
Lots of Mushrooms
Oranges and Grapes too
Cerdo, a.k.a, Pork
Once out
of the Mercado Central, there were still things to marvel at while trying to
find my hotel.
Paella Pans for Sale
I wonder
whatever became of the can of paella that Laurie and her Dad used to hide in
each other’s home when they weren’t looking for 15 years or more?
No More Sugar
For at
least 20 minutes to be on the safe side.
A Random Church
No, I do not think that
it qualifies as a Parador
it qualifies as a Parador
Not at
$35 USD a night it doesn’t!
Paradors are plush, historic buildings that are now used as hotels.
Paradors are plush, historic buildings that are now used as hotels.
OK, so the paint was pealing just a bit, the wifi only worked in the lobby and the bed spread was rather frightening . . . it was home for a vagabond for a night. On the
plus side for this budget offering, the sheets were clean as was the spacious room and, the heater works! The one at La Hacienda . . . not so much.
Once
ensconced in Hostal El Rincon (it is definitely not a youth hostel either), I
ventured out to see Valencia’s La Lonja de la Seda which is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It was originally Valencia’s silk and commodity exchange.
La Lonja de la Seda
The exterior of La Lonja’s building had a few interesting carvings such as . . .
Oh!
Squatting
Back out
walking the streets I found . . .
Laurie’s Next Pair of Shoes
An Interesting Mosaic
And Valencia’s Cathedral
It was
built over a mosque after the reconquest of 1238 A.D.
Who would have imagined
that?
I’m going
in, cover me!
St. Joseph’s Chapel
Cool Cherub
This is where the Holy Grail is
purported to be stored
Why
didn’t someone tell Sir Perceval or Indiana Jones?
Nice Rosette Window
YIKES!!!
Back out
on the streets again, I found more fun things.
A Man and His Pigeons
a three day growth of beard
This is
Valencia’s most important City Gate. Note the pockmarks left by French
cannonballs during the 19th century Napoleonic invasion.
The Cobras New Helmets Are In!
next to the Plaza de Toros
Torres de Quart at Night
Meanwhile,
back at the Mercado Central . . .
Red Grapes
They were
closing so back to the busy streets I went . . .
Gomez and Morticia
Don’t
ask, you just had to be there.
The
research is tough sledding but it must be
done.
Santa Catalina
Finally,
I ran into this 200 year old Horchateria that was just closing down for the
night.
The Horchateria has nice work too
I must
stop by here in the morning before heading back to Murcia.
Finally,
just another Tuesday night on the streets of Valencia for your viewing
pleasure.
