Valencia, Spain

After leaving Cairo I flew to Madrid, Spain and from there to Valencia, located on the Mediterranean Sea. I visited with my dear friends Ma. Jose, Vicente and Paula. I had a great time. Ma. Jose is also a quilter so we had a fun time being in her studio. She also showed me her city just like a native does and I learned a lot.

Just a little history: Valencia was founded by the Romans in 138 BC and given the name 'Valentia'.
It has been inhabited by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Byzantines and in the 8th century the Moors occupied Valencia for 500 years.
The Moors brought with them oranges, olives, silk, rice and ceramics which are still an integral part of Valencia.
Through out the years the city has really evolved but Valencia has not simply painted over its past - it conserved all its traditions intact, and its cultural identity is still present everywhere. Valencia is a city of contrast, -very modern structures side by side with buildings hundreds of years old.

Spanish is the official language but some of its people also speak Valenciano which is a dialect, it kind of sounds like French. I had Paella Valenciana like 3 times, it is the traditonal rice dish. The weather was perfect, warm during the day and cool at night which made my trip even more enjoyable. Before I knew it, it was time to get on yet another plane. Hasta Luego amigos.........

(Click on the photos to enlarge)


View of Valencia from the plane (check out the wing)



City of Arts and Sciences,designed by Valenciano architect Santiago Calatrava and situated at the end of the Turia Gardens


Aquarium

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Me outside City Hall


Bridge of the Flowers- Puente de las Flores


Torres de Quart- date back to the year 1441

Downtown Valencia

Post Office

Central Market

City views




Cathedral-Romanic door

Orange trees in bloom


Martha and Ma Jose driving the smallest car on earth.


One of the many wonderful meals I had on my trip

The traditional dish of Valencia- Paella Valenciana


Barraca on the outskirts of Valencia. A barraca is the traditional house of the agricultural workers. Constructed or clay and the roof made of rush. Only a few preserved remain in the area.