Finally a Trip Where I Didn't Forget Anything

A weekend in Valencia, Spain’s 3rd largest city!! I’ll spare too many of the details (lest I feel that this blog has fallen into a travel diary), but it was a great weekend!  One of the last two cities I needed to see in Spain, the other one being León.  By now I’m firmly accustomed to the Spanish traveling schedule: plan the day before you go.  Seems kind of crazy to the American/Northern European sentiment, but it really works here!  Bought my bus tickets (glad no flying based on the total MESS Europe is in right now with the volcano), hostel reservation, and I was good to go!  Overnight bus with 4 hours of sleep on Thursday, so ready to hit the city at 6 AM Friday!!!!  Nothing was open until 9:30 but interesting to see the city wake up.  Friday I saw a lot of “old stuff,” including the Bullfighting arena and museum (very cool), Prehistory (with drinking fountains, the 4th and 5th respectively that I’ve seen on this continent), some old Baroque palaces, and of course the impressive Gothic cathedral with a stunning dome.  

The Cathedral held particular excitement for this nerd, due to the internment of my favorite Spanish Baroque organist there, Juan Cabanilles.  Had a tough time finding it, but totally awesome once I did!!! Listening to his music on my iPod, taking photos – it was great.  The top of the Cathedral tower was also impressive; I really enjoyed my visit to that place!!!  That was Friday, and Saturday I went to the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences, a complex made up of auditoriums, a science museum, convention center, IMax theater, and the Oceanografico, a sweet outdoor aquarium.  VERY expensive entry, but totally worth it!  There was just so much to see at the science museum it was hard to leave, but the Aquarium was also fantastic – had all kinds of animals in several different habitats, including Mediterranean, Marsh, Tropical, Antarctic, etc.  Even a “free” dolphin show where the trainers were doing flips propelled by standing on the dolphins’ noses.  That was crazy!!!  Kind of like a combination between Henry Doorly or any other nice Zoo and Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.  Except everything was in Spanish! (and Valenciano, and English too).  Took a walk before my evening showing of “Mysteries of the Nile” at the IMax.  American movie, and I listened to it in English (guiltily) on my headset.  Not that I couldn’t understand it, I just think listening to translations of your native language is frustrating and ridiculous.  Better to hear peoples’ real voices.  A good day Saturday – contrast of the “old stuff” of Friday.  Sunday I again saw some more old stuff before heading out on the 8 hour bus ride back to Cáceres.  That's almost kind of my favorite part of the trip - I LOVE traveling - just the contained tranquil feeling where I can see countryside, think about life, journal, listen to podcasts.  It's sheer bliss.  Got to Cáceres really late, and now starting another week of classes!  I think I’m staying in town this weekend, as it’s Cáceres’ saint day festival (San Jorge). Should be interesting!  Just two short weeks left – yikes!  Stay tuned for an announcement coming about my post-Study abroad plans!!!  For now, nice to get back to the routine. (Oh, and as to the title, on previous trips I'd forgotten my flashlight, passport, contact solution, and shower sandals, so maybe I'm finally "Getting Smart" about traveling.  Oh wait, I forgot that I left my American adapter at home... missed it by that much!).