August 25, 2015

Valencia, Spain

I woke up at 07:30 today, showered, dressed, and packed my bags. I then bought a train ticket for the next train bound for Mohammed V International Airport, which ended up being a 09:13 departure, thus leaving me with an hour to waste. Finally, once the train came, I climbed aboard, found a seat, and rode the rails to the airport. I reached the airport at 09:43 and made my way to the check-in desk. After checking-in and receiving my tickets, I passed through security and entered in to the departure area. I then ate lunch (a pitiful cheeseburger, French fries, and a coke) and walked around the departure area. Next, I walked to the bar/restaurant and had two beers while I read. After wasting a good deal of time, I finally entered the departure gate shortly before noon. I then had to wait for some time before the other passengers and I were bussed to the aircraft – it was running late. Then, at 12:30, we were loaded on to the buses, driven to the aircraft, and we boarded the airplane (an ATR 72 Turboprop). The airplane eventually took off around 13:10 (forty minutes late) and we were flown from Africa to Europe. The flight lasted approximately two and a half hours and I spent most of my time reading.

The backside of Torres de Serranos (or "Serranos Gate"), one of the twelve gates that formed part of the ancient city wall of Valencia.
The backside of Torres de Serranos (or “Serranos Gate”), one of the twelve gates that formed part of the ancient city wall of Valencia.
Backside of the Valencia Cathedral (or the "Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia").
Backside of the Valencia Cathedral (or the “Metropolitan Cathedral–Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia”).
The fountain in the Plaça de la Verge (the square behind the Valencia Cathedral).
The fountain in the Plaça de la Verge (the square behind the Valencia Cathedral).
Street in Valencia.
Street in Valencia.
The Valencia Football Stadium (“Estadi del Mestalla”).
The Valencia Football Stadium (“Estadi del Mestalla”).

Around 16:45, the aircraft reached Valencia (Manises) Airport and landed safely (although very bumpy). We then disembarked the aircraft and were bussed to the arrival terminal. I then passed through Passport Control (they didn’t really check my passport and I was stamped through quickly and without a problem, never mind that I never received an exit stamp from the Schengen Zone). I then collected my checked bag and walked down to the metro station. I rode the metro train to one of the stations nearest to the hotel I was staying at (which happened to be right next to the Valencia Football Soccer Stadium (“Estadi del Mestalla”)). Upon reaching the hotel, I checked in and dropped my bags off in my room. I then exited the hotel and made my way in to the center of town, to the Chic Market, to pick up my La Tomatina Festival package from “Festivals All Around” (the tour company I was using in order to attend this world-renowned event). As I walked toward the center, I followed a portion of the green parks that stretch around the north part of the city and then turned southward at the old city gate before entering in to the town’s center. I then found the Chic Market and picked up my festival package (a bag with a t-shirt, informative guides, and – most importantly – wristbands for the buses, the festival, and the after party. With the festival bag in hand, I then walked through the old city of Valencia, passing by the rear of the Cathedral, before making my way back to the soccer stadium near my home base. I then sought out a place for dinner and decided on cheap and easy – in other words, a BK double with bacon, fried chili cheese poppers, French fries, and a coke. After that meal, I found a nearby grocery store and bought some goodies for my room (water, Aquarius sports drinks, beer, wine, and chocolates). Next, I returned to my hotel room, drank some of the Aquarius and relaxed before going to sleep around midnight (I was going to wake up at 04:30 the following morning and I wanted as much sleep as I could get).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

An open journal or an exercise in narcissism.