Tomorrow morning at 7:00, we say goodbye to our host moms, load onto a bus, and leave Valencia. Our trip is not over; we still have a day trip to Toledo and another day trip to Segovia before Sunday, the 11th of July, but it feels like the end. It is strange to think that this is not another three-day weekend and that we will not be returning to Valencia. I will definitely miss Valencia, and I am still completely charmed by the city, but I cannot wait to see my mom and sister on Sunday! We are traveling around Spain for a week before heading up to France for a few days.
This past week has been pretty warm with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s, but it did not deter my walking and further explorations. On Tuesday, I went with Katie for a last look at the beautiful produce of the Mercat Central before the long, hot walk to Carrefour (basically a Spanish Super Walmart) so she could purchase some amazing Carrefour granola bars. We bought them for our breakfasts while in Barcelona, and she wanted to stock up on a couple boxes before we left Spain. They are called barritas con naranjas y chocolate (granola bars with orange and chocolate specks), but they are more like a delicious mix between a cookie and a cracker. We also went back to the ¨duck park¨ with Sarah later that evening and walked around.
I forget to mention that before the Mercat Central, we also visited the Jardin Real (Royal Garden) and walked up 202 winding stairs to the top of the Cathedral´s bell tower of Miguel. It was nice to be able to look out above the city and see all of the little gardens and clothes lines atop the apartment buildings, the Jardin de Turia wiggling through the the city like a lush jungle, the gleaming, modern architecture to the east and the Medieval towers to the north and west. We could see the hazy outline of the surrounding mountains and the vague blue from the Mediterranean. While the sun beat down our faces, the bell tower of Miguel informed the city that time never stops. Life is always changing, and although it can be frightening at times, the change is what makes life exciting. How we adapt to change builds or tears down our character, strengthen or weakens our fiber.
I do not believe our personal weaknesses or struggles ever leave us, but as we mature, we begin to recognize them, and by being able to do so, we observe how we can overcome them or mold them into something beneficial.
Ok, I do not know where that came from but anyway. . . Yesterday was our last biology field trip. We went to the Oceanografic, and although we had been there before, it was still really enjoyable. Two professors from the university gave us tours and talked a little more in-depth about some of the species and the ways in which the Oceanografic cares for the organisms. We also went on a tour of its Mediterranean rescue facilities for turtles that were injured in the wild.
Last night was another World Cup futbol game between Spain and Germany. The Cafes everywhere were packed with estatic Spanish fans. Although I would have enjoyed viewing the game, I decided to take advantage of my last opportunity to go running through the park in Valencia. I have one more class left, and tonight I will be packing up my clothes and possibly going to a jazz concert with Carmen and Kendra. Oh, by the way, Spain won, but I did not have to watch the game to know! The cheers, honks, whistles, and fireworks informed me. This means Spain is now in the finals and on Sunday, the team will play to hopefully win the World Cup.
I wish you all a wonderful rest of the week, a moment of tranquility, a moment of laughter, and a chance to enjoy life, something that is ever-changing.
Ok, I will stop being so sentimental and cheesy now.
No comments:
Post a Comment