Week One in Valencia Spain - Post #3

Roger pointing at our apartment

Arrival in Valencia, Spain on April 5, 2018 began the start of our Cosmopolite Life. Spring has sprung in Valencia with the sweet smell of orange blossoms on every street, even though last year's oranges still hang on the trees.  Also underfoot are petals of the flowering crab trees.

Valencia orange trees in blossom

Flowering Crab Trees

The Turia River Bed extends for 9 km (5.59 miles) and includes 450 acres.  The Turia River had flooded the city several times, however 1957 was nature's last opportunity to  inundate the city with excess water. At that  point the city fathers rerouted the river around Valencia to the south. The master plan for repurposing the river bed to a park was designed by Architect Richard Bofill. A stunning park was created with hundreds of varieties of trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs in every color of the rainbow. The Jardin del Turia (Garden of the Turia) is an interactive playground for city residents and tourists alike.  If you cannot find a place to play or contemplate in this green space, you will not find one anywhere. Throughout the park are varied activities including running & walking, soccer, baseball & rugby, yoga, skate boarding (in a specified park area), children playing in playgrounds, dancing in front of the Palau de la Musica/Symphony Hall, photographers, wine tastings, dogs playing in  ponds. All of this sits at approximately 20 to 25 feet below street level with stairs and ramps to the streets above, where you can catch the local buses that are at your beckon call.

Our apartment building used to have a view of the Turia River until it was diverted.  Now it has a view of the Jardin del Turia.  Our apartment, #8, is on the back side of the building, so the image below shows our view.  The good news is that this is the "quiet side" and so our nights are restful.

 Our view also includes a number of feral cats and glorious sunshine.

                                                 

We can walk to Carrefour grocery store just across the bridge; the bus is one step out our front door; we can walk cross the street to the Jardin de Turin; it is about a 20 minute walk to the Mercat Central,  and we easily walk to numerous restaurants and shops in minutes. In the last two days alone, we have walked 18 miles. 

To date Valencia is everything and more than we have dreamed of or expected. We have even met up with a friend of a friend, Pilar, who is most gracious and is showing us the town from a "locals viewpoint". Our Spanish improves everyday. Adios y hasta la Vista.