Adventures & Misadventures Abroad: May 20 Valencia

Saturday we drove to Valencia. We went on a major highway the AP 7 which is sometimes close to the sea, but then more inland. But it is a very curvy road, also very fast - at speeds mostly at 120 KPH. There was quite a bit of traffic and so it ended up being a very stressful drive for Michael. Michael's phone, no matter which format he choose, google maps, apple maps or waves refused to speak to him.

When we got into the city and were trying to find the parking garage that was very near the huge market place, things got very dicey. I could not see his phone screen was no help at all. I could and did warm him about people in crosswalks and red lights. There were four lanes of traffic going one way. So when he read the instructions, turn right in 80 meters, then turn left in 50 meters', there was no time to get over four lanes of traffic. But eventually we found the underground parking garage. We got in line only to see the sign said "Completo" - that means it is full and the line of cars was not moving.

We had no backup plan. Michael started looking on his phone for another option. I was thinking - this is next to the farmers market. People are going to be in and out of there with their shopping. We should just stay in line. Then the line of cars moved and we moved and the decision was made. Now we were committed - we could not change lanes anymore. And it was fine - it took maybe ten minutes or so before we were through the gate and into the garage. There was a light above each parking place - either red or green. Unfortunately some of them were not working correctly and actually had cars parked there. Michael took a wrong turn and went the wrong way down a one way as we saw a women loading her groceries into her trunk. She would leave soon. Michael had to turn the car around in a very tight space which took a long time - worked out time wise as she just finished getting everything in her trunk at the same time.

We emerged from the underground (floor -4) to this scene. Our exit/entrance to the garage is in the middle under the cover of the brown building. To the right are the stairs to the metro station, on the left is the market building.

If you follow the line of the bicycle you will see the closest entrance to the market.

There is Michael in the middle getting ready to go through the door.

The market is at least twice as large as the one in El Campello. We did not stay long as we did not need to make any purchases.

Lots of kinds of beans and rice. This is the land of Paella.

We soon came to a booth of take out food We looked no further as they had paella

We got one serving - which was quite large. It had one large piece of fatty meat, two snails and lots of rice. Maybe next time we will get it at a restaurant and hope for more protean.

A church just across from the market. Before we went into the market, a lot of fireworks went off next to the church. Scared the hell out of us as it sounded like gun shots. There were a lot of people crowded around this entrance - probably a wedding going on.

The name of the church. After we ate our paella - we went to the entrance only to find it was still closed and would cost 7 euros to visit - about $8.00.

Having eaten something we felt better and started to wander around. Everything looked so European!! There were so many beautiful buildings.

A hallway from one street to the next.

Fountains of course!

And people dressed up as bears! What is the significance of bears in Valencia? I shall have to research it. It must be damn hot in those customers.

City Hall.

A detail of a buildings artwork.

Another beautiful fountain. The main guy is well done, all the ladies look the same.

One of the two remaining gates to the city , now called Torris de Serrans. Ten years ago it would have been me climbing way up high on all those steps - just to take photos of the view from way up high. Now I am content with taking photos of all the people who do still climb all those steps.