¡Hola a todos!
Before I make the big move next month, my family and I decided it would be a good idea to visit Valencia for a long weekend to do a spot of flat hunting, see the university and most of all, to see the city I'll be calling home for the next six months. And what a successful weekend we had!
After missing various metro stops, attempting to ask for directions in my somewhat broken spanish and several wrong turns, we arrived at my flat. It is on the same avenue as my uni campus, right in the hard of Valencia's student district. The flat is very modern inside, and very clean (something my mother was very pleased about!), and I will be living with 8 other students, from all over the world. So far I know I will be living with two other girls from the UK, a girl from Italy and a boy from Holland. The whole point of our year abroad is to experience life in a new culture, and it seems I'll be doing just that by living in my new and very international abode! Being on the 14th floor (there is a lift, thank god!), our flat has access to the buildings rooftop terrace, with views spanning right over the city. I can see many a glass of sangría being consumed there after a (hard!) day of lectures...
Of course my trip was a good excuse to escape the dreary british weather for a few days, and Valencia didn't disappoint! Clear blue skies and 33 degrees by ten in the morning meant I managed to find time in our busy schedule to top up my tan on the beautiful beach
Las bellas playas de Valencia - I can't wait to head down here after lectures and on weekends. It's safe to say I definitely won't miss the british climate!
After a busy few days, we spent all day saturday sight seeing and strolling around Valencia city centre. From what I can tell, the centre itself is made up of plazas or squares, filled with shops, restaurants and bars. We spent our last evening in Valencia sitting in the evening sun in la Plaza de la Reina, enjoying a traditional Valencian paella (which was amazing!)
La Plaza de la Reina - in the heart of Valencia
La comida tradicional valenciana - Paella! Valencian paella is the traditional spanish rice dish, but with chicken, peppers and beans
As we wined and dined, bands played music through the streets, as the locals were celebrating the 'Feria de Julio' - July Fair. Traditionally, 'La Feria de Julio' was introduced by the city's government in the 1870's to encourage the people of Valencia to stay in the city during the hot summer months, rather than flee to the surrounding hills to escape the heat and humidity. Nowadays, 'La Feria de Julio' sees a month of various concerts, theatre, open air cinema, traditional fiestas, sports events, funfairs and bullfighting
We were lucky enough to watch the official opening of the fair with the performance of the San Luis Bertran Bugles and Drums band through the plaza
And earlier in the week, we saw preparations being made to the sand sculptures display on the beach promenade
Just by spending three days in Valencia, I could already see a vast improvement in my spanish. I found that very few people speak actually english there, despite it being a fairly touristy city, so I was encouraged to speak their language at every opportunity. Having seen what the city has to offer, I cannot wait to move there. I have felt many emotions towards my time abroad; fear, nerves and a lot of stress, but finally I can see exactly why we are encouraged by our universities to do this. In just the three short days I was there, I fell in love with the city and I even got the thumbs up from my family, who up until now have been a bit apprehensive about the whole 'Sophie's moving abroad thing' - so that is definitely a result! It will be hard at times I am sure, but I can't wait to embark on this great adventure
¡Hasta luego, Valencia! I'll see you in five weeks!
