When I first arrived all I saw were giant, gross, 1980's apartment buildings. I began counting the seconds until I would leave. Really, my first impression of Valencia, Spain wasn't that different from my impression of Valencia, California. Both have mostly new construction. Both have a lot of rides. Then, slowly throughout the week, I began to warm up to it. To begin, the food here is really great. I didn't know what paella was supposed to taste like until I had it here on Tuesday. There are horchata stands on every corner. There's also a beach, if you're into that, but it's just okay. Once a year they have a Fallas Festival where they make giant, satirical, paper mache floats and then, on the third day, burn them all in a huge bonfire. They vote
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