Valencia, Spain...Weeks 1 and 2

 We arrived in Valencia nearly two weeks ago.  Lance and I left Barcelona on a cold rainy day, and by the time we got here it was warm and sunny with beautiful blue skies.  It's been the same ever since.  

First...here is a few facts about Valencia taken directly from Wikipedia.  It is the third biggest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona.  Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC.  In 714 the Moroccan and Arab Moors occupied the city, introduced their language, religion, and customs and implemented improved irrigation systems and the cultivation of new crops.  In 1238 the Christian king, James 1 of Aragon, conquered the city and divided the land among the nobles who helped him conquer it.  Due to its long history there are many numerous celebrations and traditions in the city...and we are lucky enough to be here for two of them.  More about that later...

We've been busy during our first two weeks here exploring the historic center of the city, where we are currently living, and the surrounding area.  

A view of our apartment above and at street level in the historic center of Valencia.

We took a private tour with a local resident and learned about some of the history in the historic center.  Our tour included an art exhibit at the Center Del Carme featuring Okuda San Miguel.  Okuda San Miguel earned a Bachelor of fine Arts degree in 2000 at the Complutense University in Madrid.  He began his work by producing pieces on rail-roads and abandoned factories.  Now his art can be seen in streets and galleries around the world.     

Hey!  Let me out of here!

We also saw several museums, including the Museo Del corpus Casa de Las Rocas.  This museum houses some of the historic wagons that will be part of a procession on Corpus Christi.  Some of these wagons date back to 1511.  This church festival will take place on June 3rd...and happily, we will be here to see it.

   

Lance and I also settled back into cooking most of our meals at home.  It is a real treat to cook when you see the delicious food available at the Central Market which is just a short walk from our home.  The Central Market is one of the largest markets in Europe.  

Produce galore...beautifully displayed, lots of variety and truly delicious.
You haven't tasted a tomato until you've had one from here.

Ham

Fresh squeezed oranges...cheap and delicious!
You will find them everywhere in the city....even Starbucks and Ikea.

Live eels!

Just a few of the goodies we bring home each week after a visit to our favorite market.

There are many beautiful historic buildings in the historic center of town and the surrounding areas.  Here are just a few...  

One of the two gates to the city

There is a vibrant cafe scene all over the historic center.

There is also a lovely park not far from where we live.  In 1960 the Turia River was diverted after severe flooding.  The old river bed is now the Turia gardens, which contains a fountain; a playground, skate board park and sports field; bike, running and walking paths; and several cafe's among other things.  

At one end of the Turia gardens is the City of Arts and Sciences, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava...the same architect who created the Art Museum in my hometown, Milwaukee.       

Above...The Imax Dome Cinema...
Below...Lance and I enjoying a film about the National Parks in America narrated by Robert Redford.
Those things on our head are actually earphones that offer multiple languages.

Some of the activities you can do at the City of Arts and Sciences 

 Lance and I also took some time to travel outside the city.  We walked to the historic train station...pictured below...and took the Metro to a city outside of Valencia to visit Ikea.  While there, we picked up some candles and a few cooking utensils.  It was a fun adventure.

Inside Estacion del Norte

The second Sunday in May the people of Valencia celebrate the Our Lady of the Forsaken Festival.  There is a statue referred to as la Geperudeta...so called due to the downward inclination of her head.  She is the Patron of the city of Valencia.  We attended the festival on Saturday night which included a free concert by the Municipal Orchestra, fireworks in the Turia gardens, and The Grand Dance.  All festivities kicked off at 11:00 P.M and ended sometime around 1:00 in the morning.  Sunday, The Traditional Procession will take place along the streets of the historic center.  

Yes...we did manage to stay up to midnight to see the Grand Dance.