Valencia

Carol and I once again ventured out on our own. We were going to pay the $10 each to go into the city center. It is about a 20-minute ride from the port. As we were in the line to wait for the next bus or possibly the one after that, I spoke with the couple next to me and before you know it, we were checking out taxi fares with one of the long lanes of white cabs waiting. It was 15€ to share for the four of us. We hopped in and had a nice chat on the way to town. Our fellow cruiser was a retired dentist who conveniently spoke some Spanish! Twice now taxis have made for a better day!

Valencia is known for its oranges and the streets are lined with the deep green trees. I have been here twice before and taken tours. Both times I know we drove past the famous places, the fine arts center, the aquarium, the museum, and the stadium for sure. This time they were in the distance as we drove to the Virgin Plaza.

Here in the heart of the old city we had time to walk in the sunshine and enjoy the people watching and the architecture. While admiring the first of the many churches we visited today we met a lady from our ship who was trying to find the pharmacy. We gave her the directions and she proceeded to tell us that she had a tooth ache. She had texted her dentist who emailed a prescription for an ongoing problem she had experienced. Too bad our taxi companion was no where n site. Or maybe, lucky for him!

As we wandered, we came across a young lady in a beautiful traditional costume even down to the shoes embroidered to match the pattern of the dress. Although she was at the museum, she was not a role player but rather a model. It was a photo shoot. I so wish I knew where to see the final magazine spread. Look at those matching embroidered shoes!

We were going to join a walking tour with an English-speaking guide, but it was already maxed out. We often find these I’m Free tours in front of cathedrals and they are always good. You can book in advance, which is what people on this one had done, but you can also just join in if there are not too many participating. You then ‘tip’ them well and that covers your expense. A lot of people disappear near the end, so they pay nothing!

There are arguments that "the Church" hoarded all the money and all the talent in days gone by. Thank heaven they did! What has been created and left behind is amazing. Had it not been in churches and government buildings it would not be in museums now, but rather destroyed by progress. The churches of Valencia are no exception!

According to the official pronouncements from the Vatican "The Holy Grail is the cup believed to have been used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. But do you know that officially recognized by Vatican Holy Grail is housed in its own chapel at the Cathedral of Valencia?" (Wikipedia) I did not realize that I had atually been there in its presence but it was an irresistible draw while there. So many were in thoughtful prayer in its presence.

As we walked, we passed many Halloween decorations. I was wearing my orange shirt to be in the spirit of the holiday. My shirt says that Grandmas never run out of candy or kisses. I had some wrapped mints in my pocket. If people on the ship commented on my shirt, I gave them a candy. There were a couple of times while walking we saw children with their Trick or Treat pumpkins. I would smile and drop some candy into it for them. Children and parents alike seemed pleased. One little boy hugged me!

I wish I could tell you the names of all the buildings we admired and all the churches we entered. I just looked back at my pictures, and I think I did not take photos of all the name plaques. I must do better than that. The first and perhaps most beautiful was dedicated to Our Lady. Each exterior was more beautiful than the one before and each interior more ornate. The amount of gold and silver we faced was blinding! The paintings more detailed and the sculptures more intricate that the ones before.

We did not climb the tower for the view this time but wound our way deep into the old city. Narrow streets were crowded with tourists shopping for souvenirs. Carol and I each bought, of all things, socks! Mine have oranges on them! We are not usually shoppers, but I figured socks would be fun and a practical reminder of this trip!

There was an older lady watching the passing parade from her flower decked black wrought iron balcony. I was watching her and enjoying that she was enjoying the action. It made me feel like she must have a very nice life and a good attitude about it. I waved, she smiled at me and waved back! We wound our way through the old district down back up to the cathedral square. We found an area behind the church where there were posters of the history of the churches, their dedications, and architects. There was even a metal raised diagram of the layout of the buildings with the description written in Braille. Very nice to see in place. These Braille aids were in many places throughout the city. A unique addition even for me.

http://valencia-international.com/feel-touch-see/

Eventually we made our way back to the Virgin Square by walking through residential areas and circling back to where the taxi had dropped us off at the beginning od the day. It was again 15€ which Carol and I split to return to the ship. Overall, we paid a little more than the bus but had a much better day seeing Valencia by taxi! And more importantly we were on our own schedule.

Before we went to dinner, I put on my usual shipboard Halloween costume as a Cereal Killer. Our cabin steward for this part of the trip is Jarot. He found me a piece of string which I threaded through a small box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. A butter knife was jabbed into it and there you have an easy to make and funny costume. Deborah in the shop liked it so much that I gave it to her the next morning for the crew party being held that night! Andrew Derbyshire performed his first show of the new cruise and again we enjoyed his music and ridiculous energy! He ran all over the main floor and even up to the balcony at times. He is over the top and that is fine with me!

Before retiring for the night, we enjoyed some more music at Café Baccio and visited with friends.