July 2nd, 2002

Sevilla, Spain

A Short Time In Valencia
One last stop before Ibiza..

After a long tiring bus journey from Sevilla making stops at every city and the most disguisting cafeteria in Spain, we arrived into Valencia for an overnight stay before Ibiza. I wasn't planning on joining the guys for Ibiza and had repeatedly told them back and forth I was coming and then I wasn't. They were probably quite annoyed with me. The only reason was because I wasn't so keen on leaving the culture of Spain for the clubs of the UK. I'm glad I decided to go to Ibiza instead and continue onwards with Daniel, Armand, and Jorge.

My time in Valencia was less than 24 hours and it was quite difficult to see and feel the city in that amount of time. In that time, I walked around Plaza de la Virgen. I also wanted to walk along the Jardins del Turia but it was already dark and nobody was up for it. Valencia is close to Barcelona so another trip could still be possible.

The next morning, Daniel, Armando, and Jorge had Ibiza in mind, while I still was thinking Pamplona. I was a bit indecisive about whether or not I'll continue to Ibiza and had kept confusing myself nonetheless them aswell. I took off towards the Internet cafe and just needed more time to think. On the way to the Internet cafe, I ran into the Mercat Central where I could find ingredients to help fulfill my thinking appetite aswell as fulfill my need for receiving more out of Valencia than just a walk around the Plaza de la Virgen.

Inside the Mercat Central I purchased some broccoli, peaches, bananas and other delicious fruits. Its been a while since I had vegetables so I ate this broccoli as if there was no tomorrow. In this market I had the most brilliant idea, which isn't so brilliant now that I look back it. What could you do with fresh bread stands and a meat men?..well lets not think about that one, but instead create the most delicious fresh Iberico Bocadillo I will never forget. I walked around the market in paradise loving every moment with this bocadillo. My fascination over the market and the bocadillo had to end because I was running out of time and it was getting close to meeting Daniel, Jorge, & Armando at the Internet cafe.

I wandered around Valencia taking my time to think of what to do and finally found the Internet cafe. I told them I wasn't going and went forward with my emails and such, while they had desayuno (breakfast). I looked online for ferry tickets and noticed they were still the same price as a couple of days ago. I felt no rush and thought I could always buy them at the port if I changed my mind.

I was already arranging plans with Armando about meeting with them when they come back to Barcelona from Ibiza. They walked away to go to the market for a bit and I sat there outside thinking what a stupid decision not go would be and finally made my last minute decision to go to Ibiza with them. It was perfectly set up with an apartment ready to go; Daniel, Armando, and Jorge were pumped; and, I had Tom, a friend from London, working in Ibiza that would add some new flavour to my travels... I knew it would be a fun time. Even when I arrived on the island it took me awhile to like being there but finally it hit me and everything was building up....

Scroll down the page to view pictures of Valencia.