Tidbits on Valencia living: the odd, the new, and possibly typical.

We arrived in Valencia after a month-long adventure traveling to places that, in June, would be sweltering, but which featured some of the most beautiful ancient cities that played a significant part in world history, commerce, and the development of culture.

How much beauty?

However, the other advantage of this apartment is that the owner, who was from Germany, would let us file for Empadronamiento. This is the official process for registering a place rented as your residence, which helps you obtain other Spanish paperwork.

So I said, Okay, we can try for a couple of months.

OMG…at 72 years of age, being relatively healthy, after the initial week, I was only willing to go down and ascend the stairs two times daily TOTALLY!

Now this really starts to cramp my lifestyle as I resist getting out, but luckily, Maximo is excellent.  He starts going to the store to buy the daily groceries, or if we plan on going out, I will wait for him to take the groceries to the apartment, have a cold beverage, and enjoy the air conditioning.  I must have forgotten to say we were in an only fan-cooled apartment. In Spain, fewer than 50% of older apartments have modern conveniences, such as elevators or air conditioning. This sweet little hotel across the street is Saman Hotel Boutique.

The area Carrer de Industria is middle-class. It has many semi-industrial areas featuring auto garage spaces that emit auto paint and other mysterious fumes when the gigantic bay doors open. The corner cafe has been here for 30 years, leaving a lasting impression on the most critical local gossip, and as we walk by to the bus stop. There are a few other auto garages and what appear to be private parking lots.

Another place of interest is the religious mission for South America. Last but not least is the Halal Store, where the only person I have seen entering the store seems to be the worker or owner, wearing variations on the same clothing daily. He is a compact Muslim man with a manicured beard.  Later in the evening,  I observed this man mopping floors.

Yes, it is a very diverse neighborhood, and the Samam Boutique Hotel is a fantastic oasis of civilization. This is the type of location that encourages conversations with strangers and perhaps shared experiences. I love going there, as I feel I am being pampered, especially since my beverage is a bottle of Tiñó de Verano for just 3€.

Diviversirty in the city!

A great late afternoon stop to literally chill out for an hour or so, before deciding what our next adventure will be.

During the latter part of the week, a milonga can be found on the website.  http://tangoenvalencia.minglanillaweb

A great late afternoon stop to literally chill out for an hour or so, before deciding what our next adventure will be.

Activities in the city!

This city is very active with weekend Milongas, depending on the season.

Our milonga experiences have ranged from the most memorable to the most isolated and forgettable. When we arrive at a new location, we will usually gift the organizer a fee of my travelingtango.com greetings cards. I find that this little kindness is appreciated.  We chat up our travels and try to get background on this particular place.
Reactions range from genuine interest about where in the world we have danced to a total lack of charm, interest, or any basic curiosity.

Living in Valencia, especially in the sections we have become acquainted with, such as Monti Olivet, Rusafa, and El Carmen, the River Turia has given us a deeper understanding of this wonderful city of Valencia, which welcomes you with a warm embrace.

The people who visit Valencia are usually fit, as most people get around the city by renting a bicycle or an electric scooter.
Bike lane traffic is severe, as stepping out into traffic can cause a significant accident.

All the pretty languages!

Typical languages heard on the street are Catalonia, Spanish, lots of Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, English, and Portuguese. Occasionally, I can understand Romanian and other heavily Slavic languages.

All these visitors promote and generate an international restaurant and market section in the city.

We have eaten fabulous food with origins in Thailand, India, Japan, Mexico, Italy, and Argentina.

To try a new restaurant, I read reviews continuously. My standards start at a minimum combined review of 4.4. My experiences have taught me to read the subterfuge. 

The local Valenciano special of Paella doesn’t knock my socks off, as I am not a huge fan of mussels, shrimp, and octopus, or the other version with rice, rabbit, and chicken.

I do love the inky black squid version of Paella.

There are also many local delicacies for drinking, such as Tinto de Verano and Agua de Valencia.

Lots of homemade ice cream, too.

Late in the day, it’s always time for a few tapas and maybe a vermouth.

Food galore!

With the fantastic variety of fresh vegetables, homemade pizza and pastas, amazing selections of cheeses from soft to hard, goat to sheep, and cow. It would be impossible not to eat well in this city.

Another specialty of this city is its excellent transportation system, which includes hybrid electric buses, a few desired buses, an electric tramway system, and an underground train system. All color-coordinated and easy to use, as usual, each station features an LED agenda that displays the upcoming schedule and provides a place to sit in the heat.

With friendly athletic people who are essentially upholders of rules and borders. Valencia is situated in a very peaceful area, with most of the street drinking taking place near the British. While the Germans continue to drink their beer.

Fashion is the top!

The younger women dress fashionably, and the men can look like children in their gangster get-up, but on the streets a positive harmony is manifested.

Making Valencia stop on a visit to Spain is integral to understanding the Spanish psyche.

Now in late September cooler winds are blowing, but the weather of winter doesn’t arrive until December.

And till next time!

Abrazo y besitos