Day sixteen didn't get off to a very good start: I awoke with about a dozen mosquito bites, my loaf of bread had become a forest of green fungus, and I had a lingering ache in my temples from the migraine the day before.
But it turned out to be a pretty decent day, nonetheless. A new student joined us in class. Simdy, from Paris. She was originally from Guadalupe, but was doing her Master's in Paris in International Business. We hit it off immediately — surprisingly, given that I was initially intimidated by her easy self-confidence and very poised, stylish manner. She and I paired off for the pair-activities in class; I probably improved more yesterday than I have in all the days prior. Simdy took Spanish lessons for four years prior to coming to Valencia, so she has a great deal of textbook knowledge, and was happy to pass that on.
We did an exercise in class where we shared pictures of our family & friends and described them to the class. (Mother, Gemma very emphatically - when you come here, you will see how Spanish people do 'emphatically' - exclaimed that you were incredibly young and incredibly beautiful.)
After class, armed with a bit of extra self-confidence (it's funny how being around confident people can help me find a little of my own confidence. Diffusion, or some like phenomenon), I decided to - finally! - go out to a restaurant. I decided on a restaurant in the Plaza de la Reina. Yes, it would be expensive (I paid 18 euros in all for my meal), but you have to eat at least once in the plaza. The view was gorgeous, with the shadow of the Cathedral's tower falling over my table. With history in sight.
The Menu del dia had a number of choices; I decided on a sangria as my drink, the tabla iberico jamon & queso as my first course. Valencians love pork. I'm not a great fan, but I figured I should at least try it.
I had a brief conversation with the waitress about the food. She knew English, but we didn't have to resort to it once. I was quietly proud of myself.
(The view from my table.)
She also served pan y tomate - bread and tomato. It was literally just crushed tomatoes, nice and light atop the bread.
The cheese was good, but admittedly I didn't much like the pork. The sangria was great; very, very strong. I had to sit at my table for about half an hour extra just so I was sure I'd be able to walk home without swerving into traffic. (An exaggeration. But it was pretty damn strong. Very good. But strong.)
My second course, the main course, was paella valenciana. Valencian Paella, which is typically served with chicken & rabbit rather than seafood. It was good! Not amazing - my parents and I went to a Cuban place at the anti-mall that had much better food - but it was good. It wasn't fresh, I think - you know how rice gets kind of hard/crumbly if you leave it out too long? Parts of my paella were like that.
For dessert, I had a milk ice cream with cinnamon. This was nothing like American ice cream: much lighter, more like sorbet than ice cream. Very light and not filling at all.
All in all, I had a very nice first restaurant experience. I took the black bandit (my Kindle) with me so it wasn't too awkward sitting alone. My waitress was extremely sweet. And the food was great. Looking forward to next Monday & trying something new.
When I got back home, Ravil asked me if I wanted to go on a daytrip with them this weekend. To a tiny nearby town called Cuenca. We have Friday off from school because it's a religious holiday here in Spain (All souls' day). I said sure, why not. There's not much to do in Cuenca, but it'll be nice to explore a new place. I think I've almost exhausted all the sights in Valencia already.
(Not that I'm not looking forward to exploring all the things that tourist usually don't, now that I'm done with the touristy spots -- the gardens, the tiny local cafes, the theater shows, the music shows, the flamenco shows .... etc.)
Day seventeen! I woke up at three in the morning, as I'd been exhausted the night before and took an early night. Unfortunately, the internet was down, so I read a bit, translated a bit of my Asterix comic, and studied a bit.
Before class, I spoke to Simdy, urging her to speak to Gemma about going on to the next level rather than sticking with the beginner's class. I told her I hadn't spoken a word of Spanish before I started this class, two weeks ago, while she obviously had much more knowledge -- and she thought I was lying, re: not knowing any Spanish prior. That made me feel somewhat better about what I'd perceived as meager progress.
I was kicking myself as I suggested it, because she's great to have in class, but Gemma agreed with me. Tomorrow Simdy's going on to the next level. Alas. The empire falls.
(J, to make up for the airplane cloud-pictures I forgot to take for you -- have this. I love that effect. The light visibly cascading through the clouds.)
After class, I headed to the Ciudad Viejo across the Jardin del Turia yet again. I don't need a map anymore! And I've learned to navigate the smaller streets so I avoid all the people who judge me for having my camera out.
(Saw another familiar face (...head?!) on the way there.)
(Another Valencian orange. Just for you, Jessica.)
(The plaza is very narrow, so it's difficult to get good pictures.)
Unfortunately, they closed off the Ceramics Museum to just the bottom floor. When I asked the doorman where I should pay the entrance fee, he told me that it was free, as only the bottom floor was open. It was a shame, because I was enthralled by the interior — the building is just as lovely on the inside as it is on the outside. The pictures don't do it justice. I think it's my favorite bit of architecture I've seen thus far.
They had a coach from the 1800s, and a few random unmarked ceramic pieces. Nothing much. Still, the architecture was gorgeous. I was starry-eyed to the point that the doorman laughed and said "es marveloso, verdad?"
The church right across from the Museum was open, so I decided to take a look around. It was obviously in the midst of some kind of renovation, but this church also had that severity to it, that kind of ... architectural stoicism that I find appealing in quiet religious spaces. I knelt and spent a few quiet moments there, not praying but just soaking in the silence. No one else was there.
Saw this fellow a few times around the Ciudad, too. Two more days! Two more days! I may have to see it in Spanish first until they release the English version, but. Whatever. I'll take what I can get. I've been waiting for this movie for more than a year. (And apparently it ends on a cliffhanger, the resolution of which I won't receive until at least 2016. Marvel and Chris and Tom, I hate all of you. You have ruined my life.)
(Just a random bank in the city. Can you imagine going to work in a building like that!)
(The Teatro Principal, which is in a beautiful building close to the Mercado Central. Might go see Othello.)
On the way home, it started to rain. Hallelujah, I thought! Finally, it begins to cool! I'd spent the previous night tossing and turning, boiling in my own sweat, so it was a welcome relief. On the other hand, once I left the touristy areas and got back to my neighborhood ... let's just say that rainwater + sidewalks that are smeared with dog shit ... well, it wasn't pleasant to navigate. I got home and hopped straight into the shower.
And then stood there with the showerhead pointed at my feet for about ten minutes until finally - finally! - the water warmed. I'm going to challenge the water boiled to a duel. Maybe if I best it, it'll start respecting me. (Because the water in the kitchen is insta-hot! It's just me and the shower! Ugh!)
(Aaaand the internet joined hands with the water boiler and refused to cooperate with me. Took me four hours to upload all the photos. Here's hoping that this goes through!)
A Cliffhanger!??!?! NOooooOOOoooo! 2016!?!? Marie! Marie! This cannot be! Ok, its ok. We're just going to kidnap them all & force them to do it sooner. K? K.
I don't like Penis Graffiti being shortened to PG. For reasons, you can - hopefully - guess. It just doesn't suit the R rating I'm bring up your very entertaining art obsession. :D And Oranges!!! ...I would love to dress all posh & go to that bank to withdraw funds. It could be the muggle version of Gringotts. :)
Hahahahaha. Warning: Evil Suggestion. --> You could trying bathing in the kitchen? I mean, if it has the nice hot water you can just put up a sign "Do Not Disturb. Bathing in Sink." Then no lover's spat duel need occur between you & the water boiler. :) See? Problem solved.
I'm sorry Simdy (whom I read as Smidy) couldn't stay in your class with you. You guys can still meet up though! For coffee at the cafe or a school trip or something. :)
Gasp! The water boiler & internet are having an affair? How could they do this to you!? I thought what you all had was real. My faith in human-appliance-tech has been shaken to its very core. I must go weep quietly into a bowl of ice cream now. Good bye.
Kill me, Jessica. KILL ME. Why isn't it Nov 8th yet, I want to talk to you about this!!
I nearly did resort to that today. I don't understand. Even the faucet in the sink of my bathroom gets hot water, but my shower refuses to give me anything but ice cold water. Apparently I was Hitler in my past life.
Smidy. Heh. Sounds like that dude from Peter Pan.
My life is very hard. :(
Re: It's actually #6 ... must've forgotten to take a pic of one.
yeah, try it sometime. it's amazing. there's this great little cuban restaurant - called habana - that you need to visit. they sell it there, along with amazing food. a bit pricey, but it's worth it for a special night.
:(((((( i'm going to see it again tomorrow. where is nov 8th. do they have the special marathon screening in irvine on the 7th? you should check that out.
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And PG #5 makes an appearance! XP + Another O!
I don't like Penis Graffiti being shortened to PG. For reasons, you can - hopefully - guess. It just doesn't suit the R rating I'm bring up your very entertaining art obsession. :D And Oranges!!!
...I would love to dress all posh & go to that bank to withdraw funds. It could be the muggle version of Gringotts. :)
Hahahahaha. Warning: Evil Suggestion. --> You could trying bathing in the kitchen? I mean, if it has the nice hot water you can just put up a sign "Do Not Disturb. Bathing in Sink." Then no lover's spat duel need occur between you & the water boiler. :) See? Problem solved.
I'm sorry Simdy (whom I read as Smidy) couldn't stay in your class with you. You guys can still meet up though! For coffee at the cafe or a school trip or something. :)
Gasp! The water boiler & internet are having an affair? How could they do this to you!? I thought what you all had was real. My faith in human-appliance-tech has been shaken to its very core. I must go weep quietly into a bowl of ice cream now. Good bye.
Oh!
It's actually #6 ... must've forgotten to take a pic of one.
Kill me, Jessica. KILL ME. Why isn't it Nov 8th yet, I want to talk to you about this!!
I nearly did resort to that today. I don't understand. Even the faucet in the sink of my bathroom gets hot water, but my shower refuses to give me anything but ice cold water. Apparently I was Hitler in my past life.
Smidy. Heh. Sounds like that dude from Peter Pan.
My life is very hard. :(
Re: It's actually #6 ... must've forgotten to take a pic of one.
Kill you!? Kill you!??? At least you've gotten to see it!!! :( :( :( :( :( :( I'm left to suuuufffffffferrrrrr.
:( That's just wrong. & sounds a little spiteful. Perhaps you and the water boiler were married in a past life. It probably ended badly.
Smidy!!!!! :D No wonder I feel fondness when I read it. haha
:( I know. I can't believe they did this to you. There is not enough ice cream in the world to stay my tears.
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:(((((( i'm going to see it again tomorrow. where is nov 8th. do they have the special marathon screening in irvine on the 7th? you should check that out.
god, i question my past self's taste.
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