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Snow! Can you believe I fell asleep watching it snow outside my window last night? Oh Spain. But it made for a pretty morning scene!
This morning I took a bus to Valenica. Arturo took me to the bus station around 8am. He had a dentist appointment then. The bus didn't leave till 10am. So I had some time. I walked around Teruel for a bit before finally just sitting on a bench, people watching.
Arriving in Valencia, I left the station to find a warm sunny day. Elisa had talked me through the sights to see and general directions last night. So I had a good idea of where I was in comparison to the city. Valencia is easy to maneuver around in the basic broad way. Here's why. Up to the 1950's a river ran through the city, making an arch around the center of the town. Well in the 1950's it flooded, killing people and destroying a large section of the town. So they redirected the river. Then, in the 1980's, the city of Valencia turned the old river bed into a park. Bridges still connect both sides. Obviously, instead of crossing water, it is now lushous green grass and playgrounds. So circling the main part of the city is this park. Personally I found this very helpful in direction finding. It is a long long section of park. Which also helps with the whole beauty aspect of things.
So I followed the edge of the park towards the center of town. My plan was to go straight to the bottom of the main touristy area then work my way back up to the bus station. Well, my ADD got the better of me. I couldn't pass up all the cool sights. So I did top to bottom. Oh, in case you're wondering top is "north-ish..." This is brought to you off the mental map of Becca's mind. You can find your own copy in any imaginary store near you.
The first place I stopped was what I assume was the guard tower for the city wall. Open to public, free, and gives a great view of the city. I passed a large group of French elderly folks as I jogged up the stairs to the top. They jokingly, I hope, scolded me for showing off. But my excitement was justified when I saw the view.
Since I had already abandoned my plan, I dove farther into the city center. I aimed my path towards the main cathedral. As I was walking around the buildings there I heard an angelic harmony of voices coming from one church. No, that is not an exaggeration. It was just gorgeous music. So I went in. They were having a service and the pews were full. In the front were two rows of young boys dressed in white gowns singing. It made me think of the group Libera. It was hauntingly beautiful. The church's beauty matched their song. Spectacular.
The service went on for a bit. At one point, I assume the priest said something to the effect of "Peace be with you." And everyone started passing the blessing to each other. Everyone stood up and kissed each other on the cheek, saying the blessing. The two elderly ladies standing next to me disregarded any sort of feeings towards a tourist, pulled me in for kisses on the cheek, and told me to go in peace. Then the service smoothly continued. The priest would speak for a bit, the boys would sing, the congregation would mutter responses, and so forth. I couldn't help myself. I snuck a picture. But even worse, I recorded a video of the boys singing. It was just so beautiful. So if you're interested in hearing that, and don't have Facebook where I'll post it, let me know. Then you'll understand just how beautiful this truly was.
I left after a little bit even though the service was still going on. I never went into the main cathedral because, well frankly, I didn't have tons of time, it was expensive for a cathedral, and with both those in mind, I've seen a lot of cathedrals thus far. I also felt like I saw a cool scene with the previous church. That was the case I made in my mind.
So instead I wandered plazas, streets, shops, and such. I saw the main plaza where the fires happen. (Feel free to look up videos and info on the fires in Valencia. Because it's incredible.) I saw the Plaza de Torros. I admired the cool buildings, soaked in the sun, and fully accepted the tourist role.
I began my walk back to my directional compass: the park. Then I began my walk to Valencia's City of Arts and Science. This is an area of town of museums of science and art. Just in case you were confused, I wanted to break that down for you. I didn't go inside any of the buildings. But I spent hours here. Why? Because the buildings and architecture is mind blowing. If you've read my past posts, you've probably noticed architecture isn't exactly something that normally catches my eye. So why this one? Here's why.
(See those dots on the bridge? Those are people! Just to put this in perspective.)
(Panorama! ⬆️)
Yeah! Right?! How cool is that?! I was planning on just checking it out to check it off my list. Because I was thinking science and art aren't exactly my favorites. But boom! In your face incredible buildings. So I walked around, explored a bit, got lunch at a cafe there in order to sit and admire more. Surprise surprise, post lunch I enjoyed a nap in the sun with the sound of the water next to me. It was short lived however because huge groups of French school kids were running around screaming. And by school kids, I mean college students. I was unimpressed and slightly annoyed at being awoken. I'm a very simplistic person... But I enjoyed the sun and enjoyed the views even more. A must do for Valencia!
Did I mention how long the park is? It's long. So I began my walk back to the bus station very early, in order to avoid any stressing in the spring sun. This was my first jaunt alone in a park without any music. Normally I ALWAYS have my iPod. It was a new experience. Around half ways through my walk I fully opened my arms to the inner crazy lady. Singing out loud and walking around in beautiful nature never fails. I was probably stared at a bit, but my goodness I was happy. Normally, I would let my mind wander down crazy intense and physiological thoughts. If you need proof, go read some past posts. But this book I'm currently reading has a line... "'Do you always think this much?' 'Is that bad?' 'Not necessarily. It's just that sometimes people use thought to not participate in life.'" I read that on the bus ride to Valenica and it scared me. Was that what I've been doing? So I sang and focused on only what was around me.
I headed home as the sun set. It was dark and late into the evening by the time I got back to Teruel. Elisa picked me up and we went home. When I got home Arruro dropped some shocking news on me. He told me he'd be leaving tomorrow for the Pyrenees, and wouldn't be back until Monday. Which means tonight was our last night together! It suddenly became very real that my time in my lovely Spain is coming to a close. I couldn't believe it.
After I ate some dinner, we looked at pictures of Alaska, McCarthy's 4th of July's over the past couple years, Boulder, my home in Colorado, last years drama production and my super sweet witch costume, and finally the pictures of my visit to Spain.
I couldn't help it. My mind wandered as I smiled lovingly at my hometowns, my friends, and so many memories. I couldn't help think "My God, we are so lucky. We have incredible lives." I sometimes feel worried about the future because I'm in love with moments here. I think we all do that. We want to lasso the moon and pull the rope tight so that a moment doesn't escape. But what's amazing is to look back and think of how many times you've thought that. I look at pictures of McCarthy and think of how at the end of every Fourth of July parade I wonder, man we can't top this. Then we always do. (Ahem, pressure SEAGers...) Great things will always come. I look at pictures of the Boulder airport and think of how many memories I have where in the moment I hated the thought of an end. But they ended and more great memories came! Great things will always come. I look at beautiful pictures of Alaska. I wonder will I ever see beauty like that elsewhere? Well maybe not... But I've sure seen beauty that tries VERY hard to compete and that fills my soul with beauty. I'll hear voices of angels in churches instead. I'll see cliffs in Ireland. I'll see towering rocks over Barcelona. Great things will always come. I guess my point is stop worrying about the next step because great things will always come. Love moments. Love with all your heart those who share the moments with you. BE IN moments. Appreciate the moment, but don't spend moments trying to lasso the moon. Let the moon go and let the great things come.
"There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." - C.S. Lewis
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