Valencia

This city is everything that Barcelona, as a city of 1.5 million, cannot possibly be. The city is clean, charming, efficient, has beautiful beaches, the people are warm and friendly and always going back to food, it is the home of paella. I have seen very few 20-somethings that were swarming Barcelona and have thoroughly enjoyed being here.

I am in an apartment/flat in a section of town that feels like Dolores Park meets Ocean Beach. There are lots of palm trees, a few shops and restaurants here and there and it's a 10 minute walk to the beach and about a 15 minute bus ride to old town Valencia and the museums. If you’re keeping track of steps or stairs, it is 67 steps from bottom to top which I have managed to do at least 3-4 times each day. Luckily, the manager carried my suitcase up the flights of stairs and I’ll just have to manage to get it down in the morning.

I went to the Ciudad de las Artes yesterday and toured the Oceanografic for hours. There are fish and mammals of all kinds from all over the world including the Arctic and Antarctica and a big aviary with many different types birds. I skipped the birds because I had a ticket to go to the Hemisferic to see an IMAX movie about the sea, also fascinating. The outside structures of this complex are as interesting in design as what each houses. They look like fish a little but not quite, reptilian but not quite – interesting a great addition to the city.

There are parks and paths everywhere you go, some tree lined, some not, a promenade along the waterfront that goes for miles starting near the downtown business district all the way to the port. A lot of people travel by bicycle and it’s easy to see why, it is relatively flat and there are nice bike paths everywhere. Valencians are also into their boats and sailing and hosted the America’s Cup in 2007, they take such great pride in having hosted the event, the signs are still up around the city.

Today I strolled around old town, wandered aimlessly and then headed to the beach for a few hours. It has been a very pleasant stay and change from Barcelona and looking forward to Alicante for the next few days.