Living the Life

Living the life of relaxation, mmmmmm.... I think it´s set in that I´m in the land of "no pasa nada" as they say here, basically "it´s okay" literally translated "nothing is going to happen". To me, it fits perfectly with the way of life here. El aire y ambiente tranquilo pero vivo. Its so chill, yet so alive. I love that here it really is about life, they work to live. Lunch time (anywhere from 2-5 pm) you throw your work aside and chat for at least an hour or so. Dinner (around 9-11 pm) is really about the same. Everyone sits down for dinner, everyone stays after dinner, everyone hangs out and just talks. I love it. Breakfast is actually pretty great too, although I would say it´s less of a social meal... although I guess this depends. I love breakfast because their café con leche is TO DIE FOR (it´s basically like espresso with heated milk) I don´t know how they do it, how I could have espresso in the U.S. and just be like hm... it´s okay, I guess and here I cling on to the little plastic cup "to go" cup (para llevar) as if it was some prized possesion. Of course I don´t mind the breakfast foods either, sweet breads, crossiants, tosta ricas (cookies... another favorite of mine I´d been trying to find on e-bay upon my last return). I guess it really just depends on your preference / house tradition what you eat though because when I go to get my coffee I often see workers eating sandwhiches with jamón serrano, queso, chorizo and let´s not forget the cerveza to go along with. I even saw one table with a bottle of wine the other day... yes, at 9 am. Like I said, chill, love it.
Days have been lazy, waking up whenever and making plans as we go. On tuesday we rode bikes to the beach, layed under strong spain sun (yes it is different than the one that hangs in the Ohio sky and yes it is much quicker to turn the skin a pretty pink if your not careful!) I swam in the ocean for a little. I thought I prefered pools... but now I´m not so sure. There is something about watching the waves roll in, staring off into the distance wondering where the water ends, and feeling the salt cling to my body and the hint of sea on my lips and tongue that puts a pool to shame. And as if I weren´t refreshed enough... I went for a Fanta Limon, another favorite, the only pop that I truly like, that of course is an impossibility to find in the U.S. beyond e-bay where it is VERY EXPENSIVE. So here goes my plea: Dear USA (or perhaps better addressed to Coca-Cola) please start producing and selling Fanta Limon in the United States, I believe that the people would quite like it, better than sprite, fresca, squirt or any of your pitiful attempts to replicate it. Thank you, M.Z.
I´ve also tried some things that I am embarrassed to say I didn´t try the last time I was here. Among them, Horchata made of chufas (tiger nuts), sugar and water... Apparently there are other renditions in Latin America, but Valencia is where it all started (if you are in doubt wikipedia...). With the Horchata, we ate fartons a kind of sweet bread that goes with the drink very well. Speaking of yummy breads, yesterday I tried some sweet waffle thing with chocolate poured on top, gaufre... pronounced "gofe-ray". YUM.
Today I am hopeful we will run in the río again and then just walk around or bike around the city. It is so strange, to once again be on these streets. I must say I no longer feel like it is exotic, new, etc, yet a familiar place. Although, I still am a little intimidated by being in a city where everyone is dressed with the latest and I must say the latest here is FAR ahead of us in the U.S. Everyone dresses "de moda" here. Nevertheless, it´s still captivating, the palms, the cute cafés, the beautiful gardens, the long chats at dinner or in the río.
Well time to get moving... only 4 hours til´siesta... haha just kidding. Suprisingly enough I haven´t taken 1 siesta while here. Maybe tomorrow, Siesta saturday :)