This was Carmen's favorite activity.  During the last few weeks of her life, she clearly didn't enjoy it.

]]> This was Carmen's favorite activity.  During the last few weeks of her life, she clearly didn't enjoy it.

]]> Las Arenas beach, Valencia on Christmas Day

]]> Beach smells always brought Carmen back to those days of sight and sound.

]]> Living just by smell at this point, Carmen and Ben take in the atmosphere near the public fountain in Santillana del Mar.

]]> Santillana del Mar, from Carmen's perspective

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]]> Mayor of Alicante castle who died with the keys to the castle in his hand

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]]> Neighborhood Faller in Cabanyal

]]> Our son thought the museum "was a mess" but we loved the rose petals on the floor

]]> Great art display

]]> from the Armando Serra expo in Musel de la Ciudad

]]> Armando Serra en el Museo de la Ciudad en la Plaza del Arzobispado de Valencia del 7 al 30 de Noviembre de 2006

]]> Wow.  Talk about brand consistency!

]]> The poster submissions for Las Fallas 2007 were on display at the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Valencia from Nov. 7th to November 10th, 2006.

]]> Spain is definitely a land of new cultures contrasted with the Spain of 20 years ago. 

]]> This is definitely one of my favorites!

]]> I assume this will be the official poster of Las Fallas 2007 since it won first prize

]]> A traditional toddler Valencian celebration of the arrival at the beach after a long walk through Cabanyal.

]]> Ah, the wind in his air and the sand in his toes.  Beach bum Ben!

]]> And boy o boy is he happy when he steps foot on that sand.  Look as he prepares to dance in celebration!

]]> Early morning moto parking at El Corte Ingles on Calle Colon.

]]> Lots and lots of folks ride their mopeds or motorcycles to work in Valencia.

]]> It's so nice to see something blooming in the Fall!

]]> Tonight the fireworks sounded a little louder and a bit closer so I looked out the window.  What a show. 

]]> Papa always makes sure to say "Release the hound" whenever he sets Ben on his way.  This is a good image of the "released" hound.

]]> Wow, I was so happy I stuck my feet in the water.

]]> Release the hound

]]> Graffiti is everywhere and not always pretty.  We like this however.

]]> The bridge over the old river Turia (now a park)

]]> Great little "pocket parks" everywhere for the kids.

]]> There is new construction everywhere but it seems like there are height limits near the beach which is a good thing.

]]> Actually, I think this is Patacona beach, just adjacent to Malvarosa (slightly North)

]]> Sunday morrning view at Malvarosa

]]> Pictures from my bus trip downtown this morning.

]]> When we go out to play, Mitch asks Ben, how many parks - and Ben replies, 1 park, 2 parks, 3 parks.  There is a park every 2 blocks or some.  Some are nicer than others.  We really like this one which is about 4 blocks away.

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