The Beaches of Spain

Lots of coastline, lots of beaches, and great weather. What are you waiting for?

Monasterio de San Miguel de los Reyes

 This is sort of a well-kept secret in Valencia as it lies on the very edge of the city. An easy bike ride from the center or take one of the buses listed below.

Avenida de la Constitución, 284 46019 VALENCIA
Phone 96 387 4000 - Fax 96 387 4037

Bus: 11, 16 and 36. Tramway T6
Visiting times (on previous phone appointment):
Tuesdays: at 10, 11 and 12; Saturdays and Sundays at 12 and 13.


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Valencia's Palacio de la Exposición

Sin Noticias de Gurb (No Word from Gurb)

Sin noticias de Gurb by Eduardo Mendoza

This is one of those books that you could kick yourself for not thinking of the idea first. It is the captain's log sent by an extraterrestrial who comes to earth, takes on human form(s), and dryly narrates what he discovers about life here on earth—or at least life in Barcelona. Upon landing in Barcelona the unnamed leader sends his underling, Gurb, out to explore the terrain. Gurb immediately goes AWOL and most of the book concerns the leader’s search for his partner as it takes two beings to drive their spaceship. While looking for Gurb the leader comments on dozens and dozens of aspects of life in this corner of the world.

No hay en toda la Tierra gente más aficionada al trabajo que los catalanes. Si supieran hacer algo, se harían los amos del mundo.

No one on earth enjoys work more than Catalonians. If they knew how to do something they would rule the world.

It is laugh-out-loud funny in many, many parts and even more so if you happen to be something of an outsider yourself but have been in Spain just long enough to recognize some of the more absurd aspects of modern Spanish/Catalán society. There is a little bit of Gurb in anyone who has ever lived in another country.

Bar León

A corner bar as corner bars should be. First of all, Bar León is rioght on the corner of Mestre Aguilar and Poeta al-Russafi, a half a block from the Ruzafa Market. A big screen TV that you can see from the outside window (good for smokes) carries all of the football matches. A nice mix of Spanish and Bolivians tapas and sandwiches on the menu and even chicha de maní.

Paellas in the Street

This isn't something that happens every night in Valencia but it's a pretty common occurrence. I don't even remember the occasion on this particular evening but everyone was having fun and eating well.

Globexs vs Competitors