Valencia

I just have to tell you I'm really excited! I'm actually blogging about the city I'm actually in for the first time in about a week! I'm all caught up!!!

I got into Valencia two nights ago, and have one more to go. I arrived in Valencia a little after 9pm and headed to the hostel, Purple Nest. I hopped on the metro and was only two stops away. I walked up the steps and stumbled onto some sort of fair. There was a ferris wheel, screaming kids, and the smell of fair-foods. I was so distracted and caught off guard I started walking towards it. Then I remembered I had to check in before they gave my room away, so I refocused and followed my directions. I hope to go visit the fair to tonight though. I want to see how everything compares to what we do.
Valencia is beautiful at night. You can tell they have spent a lot of money to highlight their parks and historical buildings, and it really shows. Everything is lit up, including the many fountains scattered across the city. I almost go lost, but asked for directions this time (I'm learning!) and was only a few blocks from the hostel. I checked in, took a shower, and called it a night.
I woke up and realized my skin was itchy and a little sore. As some of you already know thanks to Facebook, I pulled the ultimate white girl move and got a little crispy at the beach yesterday. The places that were most affected are the ones that haven't really seen any daylight for the past 5 years: the back of my thighs and my lower back. Now I had a mission: continue my toiletry tour and purchase sun screen and aloe vera. I'm still going to the beach dang it!! I also contiued to search for glue (pegamento). I found a farmacia and bought a small container of aloe vera, but should have waited for the grocery store. I bought sunscreen and twice the amount of aloe vera for about the same price. Oh well, now I'll be nice and hydrated. Then I started my search for glue. I asked serveral store owners who directed me (derecha y.....) to the mysterious papeleria store, which I never found. I did find a hardware store that sold all-purpose glue that would work for paper. It smells and is much stronger than I need, but now I can keep working on my journal.
Victorious, I returned to the hostel, retrieved my journal, applied aloe vera and sunscreen then headed to the park. I worked on my journal for the next hour while sitting by/on one the fountains. After that I ate a picnic lunch I bought at the grocery store earlier: bread and an apple. Yum! :)
I returned to the hostel and took a little siesta, only an hour this time, then went to get some coins for the laundry room. When I heard they had a laundry room, I thought there would be 5+ washers and dryers. Wrong. There was one washer and one dryer along with stacks of clothes holding places for people waiting. Sweet. Instead of doing laundry I went down to blog and get caught up. I returned to the laundry closet around 6:30, determined to get a spot. I pushed my way in, and jumped in front of a guy trying to swoop in front of me, but managed to get it in there. For the next two hours I did laundry. Boring right? But really important to have clean underwear people. :)
I finished up laundry and packed, I had to switch hostels in the morning, then headed out at about 9:30 in search of food.
I didn't take a map. I figured I would just walk around and keep track of where I went. Plus, if you just follow the flow of traffic you will usually find something cool. It totally worked! I walked to the Plaza de la Reina which had a church and fountain that was all lit up and had several restaurants with patio seating. I went for the gelato instead. :) I decided
to skip dinner but walked by a Chinese restaurant and got curious. So I stepped inside to order Chinese food off a Spanish menu. :) The food was tasty and I got to watch a soccer game. What more could I ask for?!?
At about midnight I headed back to the room. For the first time I wasn't the first person in bed. Yes!!!! I took a much needed shower then climbed into bed. I slept hard and fast, the woke up at 9 this morning. It's my last full day in Valencia before my train leaves. I go dressed ad ready to check out, turned in my key, then worked on the Barcelona blog.
After that I went in search of my new hostel for the night. I have my own room tonight. Not by choice, it's more expensive, but I'm sort of glad it was my only option. The cool thing is I totally walked down these streets last night, almost ate on the exact street the hostel is on, so I feel lik I sort of know my way around already.
When I went to check in there was a dog, maybe 8-9 months old, laying by the check in desk. She was super sweet and made me miss my pups a lot!! My room wasn't ready so I dropped my bag and headed to the central market. It is their farmers market, but bigger and with fish, meat, veggies, everything. I thought it would be cool to check out, but on a warm day like today the smell was overwhelming. I walked
in there for a very long 2 minutes then had to leave before I threw up. :(
Now I'm sitting in a coffee shop, eating breakfast and planning my day. I want to walk down to the beach and by the buildings called the city of art and sciences. I think it'll be a great way to spend the afternoon!
Time to get going. I've burnt enough daylight catchin you fools up! :)
I'll check back in soon, especially now that I'm all caught up.
And....I'll be home Friday!!!