So I added
a new category to the top bar: Travel. I wasn’t quite sure if we would be able
to go on holidays this year, but I guess any trip outside the city would count
as travel. Last weekend, we were lucky to join an Erasmus trip to Valencia, for
the incredible price of 25 euros – bus, entrance to a club and sangria
included. It is hard to even find a one way ticket for that price, plus who
says no to free sangria!? And even better, that weekend it was Las Fallas, the
biggest and most famous festival of the city.
We left
from Plaça Catalunya around 10:30 AM. After a pretty long bus ride (and
unnecessarily long one hour break – sigh, Spain) we arrived in the third
biggest city of the country. The weather was just perfect. Over 20 degrees,
sunshine, clear blue sky: pretty damn good for March. After receiving our sangria, we left the
Erasmus group and walked through the city with our own “local”. We started at
the famous City of Arts and Sciences.
Pretty
impressive, even though the background story (the financial controversy) gives
it a whole other look. We continued through a beautiful green park before
entering the crowded city center
Nice
looking picture, I first thought, then I saw the dude’s ass crack… Still, I
wanted to show you guys an image of this nice park. So green!
Next up: las
Fallas, the big colorful statues spread all over the city, which will be burned
on the last day of the festival. There are many stories about its origins, but
it is usually said that it started in the Middle Ages, when people made fires
to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The Fallas range from large to gigantic
figures, depicting events and (political) figures from the past year, often in
a satirical way (Germany depicted as a marionette holding other countries, for
example). There was also a little parade with Falleras in traditional costumes.
At night,
we took a cab to another part of the city to see more Fallas. We divided the
group and typically, our cab ride - the non-Spanish speaking group – was twice
as expensive. I know, I know, it’s about time I learn Spanish…
Beautiful light
shows with music!
Then it was
time to eat. Or so I thought… we’re still in Spain. We sat down outside at bar
Los Gatos, with live music all night long and a liter beer for 2 euros. Paella
was made on the streets, which took in-cre-di-bly long for my Dutch stomach which
was starving since six, but around eleven we had the most perfect and delicious
(and FREE!!!) paella valenciana you can imagine. Such a great night! I love
Spain.
After this
perfect meal, we left to see the big fireworks. Something we missed during New
Year’s Eve, I guess fireworks are more of a festival thing here in Spain.
What an
incredible weekend… We went back to Barcelona around 4 in the morning. When we
arrived at Plaça Espanya at 8, with our sleepy eyes and messy hair, it was
really strange to see hundreds of super fit people, all preparing for the big
marathon that was going on that Sunday morning. We dove right back into bed
after a really long but amazing day. And what a great city! We really have to
go back. The burning of the Fallas, the biggest event of the festival, was on
Tuesday by the way, so unfortunately we couldn’t be there (although I was a bit
happy I didn’t have to be afraid of my hair catching fire – again…). Hopefully
next year!
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