Experiencing Valencia

By Kent Truckor - Guest blogger studying in Valencia, Spain

Just finished classes and reviewed the differences between Ser and Estar, so many words in Spanish and so little time! Yesterday we had off class for a holiday so I took to the city to explore more. I found that I can get just about anywhere I want to go on foot if I don't care how long it takes me, haha. I found a great park near the center of the city with a bunch of manicured gardens and fountains. However, it seems also that a lot of strange people like the park as well. So I didn't really sit there too long and probably would not head back after dark. Either way I figure it is all part of the fun of exploring the city. The center of the city has some great historic buildings that are pleasing to the eye. Many of which are now either museums or government buildings. I do much of my traveling on foot because it gives me the opportunity to go wherever I want and the time to take a good look at things (plus it is free that way as well!)

On the other hand, Valencia has an excellent transportation system with busses, taxis and the metro (the equivalent of a subway) All in all they seem to be very safe, although the first day of classes the metro had a terrible accident and 40 people died. This is something that has not been taken lightly and much has been done in the mean time to increase safety of the metro. I found out that the metro travels to many of the smaller pueblos outside of town. This is excellent for me because I continue to say that I am going to get outside of the city so that I can see some of the rural parts around Valencia. The city is nice, but for a country boy like me, I long to see what things are like outside of the city.

Another exciting thing that I found out is that you can fish for free down by the docks. I am a huge fishing fan/fisherman. I would not say that I am good, but I have a strong appreciation for the sport and the past time. This will be the first time I have fished in a sea. The largest body of water I have ever fished in is the Great Lakes which is awesome, but this will be a different experience all together. Now I just need to find a place where I can purchase a pole for a reasonable price! A majority of items around here are more expensive than at home with the exception for fruits and vegetables (which are amazing). This is due in large part to the Euro being stronger than the Dollar. However, no matter where one goes that can live reasonably if they just take the time to look around. For instance, I pack my lunches now for school, nothing more than Peanut Butter and Jelly and I can eat lunch for a week for around 4 Euros.

Now, I never said that it was fine dining, but my ambition is to have this experience while keeping a reasonable tab and I think this is something that I should be able to accomplish. The weather continues to be hot and humid, but I guess that is just how it goes living on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. I have become accustomed to it and will welcome the climate once September hits. All for now, I continue to learn more about the culture and the people as days go on and I would like to think my Spanish is improving as well!