Spanish cities are usually quite loud with traffic, chatter and general bustle. However, Valencia between 1st and 19th March is extra noisy. Las Fallas is a gradual created in honour of Joseph (Jesus' pa), by carpenters using their offcuts to create effigies to just about anything on their minds - some shaped like officials and in their burning, relieve some of their frustrations. These days it is a much more commercial affair. People come from all over Spain and abroad to see the 40 blocks try and outdo each other with their creations. Instead of wooden statues, these days they are made from other materials, which release a horrible smoke and smell when burned on the night of the 19th.
I learn this from my host Sol, as she guides me through the streets. There are stalls everywhere selling sweet baked pastry including Churrico and beer. There are lights on every street, each one seemingly sponsored by a beer company.
My accommodation at Sol's place is a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom. This is what I love about Warm Showers: one never knows exactly who you will meet and where one will stay. Sol has been a WS host for a while, and knows that the first essential tasks on arrival are a refreshing shower and the offer of washing my clothes. A warm home-cooked meal is just what my belly ordered. We stay up late watching Spanish reality shows (First Dates).
The next day I hang with Lauri and she shows me all around town. I met her last year in Greece on an Erasmus Plus training course. We stroll the streets and "enjoy" the mascletas (rocket bangers every day during las Fallas at 14:00 at the town hall). Also I try my first horcheta (sweet drink from the region). Finding anything vegetarian is particularly hard here in the city - we spend hours teaching down a tasty falafel.
No comments:
Post a Comment