Going Somewhere

Day 18 - Thursday, June 9


Today we took another trip to a hospital in Valencia, but our taxi driver got a little lost along the way.  I therefore had a length discussion with my cab companions, Maxwell and Josh, about the foods we missed from the U.S.  Maxwell went into detail about the Mississippi barbecue sandwich he would sink his teeth into, Josh had a mouthwatering description of the New York pizza he missed (in addition to Vermont maple syrup on a stack of "flapjacks"), and I.....well, I said I missed my peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate milk.  Haha, it sounds absurd, but after basically being sustained for almost 20 years on peanut butter alone (until Honey Nut Cheerios walked into my life), I have really had several cravings while here in Valencia.  Sure, they have peanut butter, bread, and milk....but the milk isn't refrigerated until it's opened, which I personally just find suspicious.  The bread is decent, but the peanut butter looks like someone threw some water on clay and tried to call it food.  I have, however, discovered a new love in life: Nutella.  After years of hearing people rave about it in the O'Hill dining hall at UVA, two days ago I decided to finally give it a whole-hearted try.  I slathered my piece of bread in the dark goo.....and I loved it.  I can't even taste the hazelnut, so it basically tastes like I'm eating a chocolate-iced cupcake for breakfast in the mornings! Haha, I love that people call it a "nutritious" way to start the day: as Maxwell commented earlier today, "If it even remotely tastes good, it's probably bad for you."

The amazing birthday HNC pyramid from my roommates.  I think I'm about at the bottom tier now.

My hopes of going to the beach today were dashed by cool breezes on top of cool temperatures, but it was still a beautiful day outside! In my Spanish for Medical Professionals class on Monday, we had to go around the room and say what we do for exercise.  While I'm pretty active at home, I've been too overwhelmed with sight-seeing and homework and eating time-changes to get to much activity here (excuses, excuses, I know).  I had to hang my head in shame as my Professor Richart (Mabel, as some like to call her) laughed at my laziness and scolded me to get out and stay healthy.  Today I took Mabel's advice and went for a long-overdue run straight through the center of Valencia.  "The River" is a dried-up riverbed that has been transformed into an expansive park miles long, equipped with children's playgrounds, fountains, ponds, everything.  


I saw several fun sights, including Gulliver: a playground in the shape of a giant man - it's bizarre at first, but once you get over the shock, the idea of children Lilliputians is rather cute.

Photo from http://crookedhouse.typepad.com/crookedhouse/2009/11/a-gulliver-playground-and-a-terrific-new-blog.html

The up-close version of the City of Arts and Sciences.  There is a vast, crystalline pool of water extending between all of the buildings, and up-close it was simply gorgeous.  At that point in my run, it was also incredibly tempting to swim in it, but I restrained myself :D

Now, I'm home again and getting ready to pack.  Tomorrow I'm leaving Valencia on a bus with Emily and Ashley.  We're going to Barcelona!!!