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Published: July 16th 2006
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(august 6th through 7th 2005) the 12hr bus ride was hell. though we drove through beautiful hills, and olive plantations, the time itself was exhausting to us. it was boring. even our 1/2 hr stop in a deserted town was draining. we arrived in valencia just past nine, and awaited two friends that my brother had met during his time in portugal--both of them spaniards (cristina and pilar). we decided to make this a rest stop before barcelona, but it didn't turn out that way. my brother and i decided to invite them out to dinner, as they were hosting us for the night. i didn't get a chance to write everything, as they led the way from the train station on their volkswagen bug--yup the four of us, cristina's boyfriend driving, and all of our bags--speeding, because that is how he was driving, through the streets of valencia, dusk time, while pilar, jammed between the zea boys, screaming in her spanish accent all what we needed to know of the city. fun time. the ride was fun and some things are still in my mind--the old castle, the new building for the america's cup--but it was too much. it was
night as well, and one could not get a fell for the city, while in the car. it wasnt until we got off, that we got to see better the city.
we finally get off, and my brother and i, after such a long drive and a fun drive through valencia's streets, look at each, and we know what the other wants to do. it's time to have some fun. after they tell us a couple of places, we settle on a restaurant that is 15 euro for all you can drink, while they serve you numerous tapas throughout the night (that's right, all you can drink liquor, wine, and beer). we went there. it looked calm outside. it looked calm as we walked in. it looked calm as we went up the stairs to our table. however, as we sat down, things exploded. four or five more parties about our size as well walked in. not even 10 seconds after we sat the first plates came flying in. pilar, not happy, started yelling drink orders (pitchers of beer for here, wine here). the poor waiter not knowing what to do, just nodded his head, while he had to serve
the other tables. huge mugs of beer, full of foam, were slammed on the table. spanish wine thrown at us, so we can drink with the plates. all while the waiters are running around us, we are yelling to have a conversation, because everyone is yellling due to the same reason, and beautiful women walking around trying to get us to go to the club they are working for, offering us free drinks. it was good.
after pilar's screaming to the waiter, we realize that we are all drunk beyond comprehension, and our food is gone. and we have plenty of business cards with free drinks. so we head that way. after dancing the night, we head back home, and pass out (my brother on a bed made for a child, and i on the floor on top of an airmatress.
after a sweaty hot night, i wake up and go to the balcony. see the city on a quiet sunday morning. watch a few dog walkers, and those few who are ready to get on with their day. slowly, but surely, we make it to the train station, get a good time to head to barcelona and put the bags, thank goodness, in some lockers.
walk around town, see the bull ring next to the train station, and say goodbye to our friends, as they have to get to a festival in their town outside the city. we walk around the city. it was a beautiful day. i liked the buildings, the churches, and the streets--but in a way, again to me, it seemed like a larger version of sevilla (with streets, and the buildings); though i think they are about the same size. much more of a working city, people have things to do--that is the vibe i got from the city. it was quite a site seeing all the immigrant, documented or undocumented, population that worked on the street running with all their things that they were selling on the street, when a police siren could be heard.
we were told that valencia was were the best paella was. we must have gone to a bad restaurant, because it wasnt anything out of the ordinary. it's four, and we get on our train to barcelona, for a wonderful sunday night in the train station...
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