Living in the right place can make your experience abroad all the more memorable.  In Valencia, if you can score an apartment on Calle del Turia with a view of the botanical gardens, you'll have a lovely view.

El Jardin Botanico is on the Calle Quart, not too far from the Torres del Quart, currently closed for renovation.  We went on a Sunday morning and the gardens were full of well dressed families strolling as well as many folks simply reading the Sunday paper.  On many of those readers' laps were cats, that seem to live in the gardens.  The cats were very friendly, at least when not being chased by a little boy. 

The cats seem healthy, friendly and well fed.  I read that some nuns from a nearby convent keep them well fed. 

And to give credit where it is due, that tidbit about the nuns feeding the cats came up on a google search.   For what - surprisingly - a short term apartment rental on Calle del Turia overlooking the botanical gardens. 

Here goes.  And if you rent it - tell the agent to throw some commissions this way :)

My husband is not an urban developer but has done some related work so we often end up discussing urban development in our travels.  Mixed use, that is retail, residential, and other in the same space, is a common theme.  I am so often surprised at by how residential, retail and religion are so intertwined in Spanish cities.  This scene made me smile today.

Piropos are flirtatious phrases, typically said by men in Spanish speaking countries, to women passing by in the street.   Yesterday, as I was walking down the street, my eyes met those of an elderly gentleman standing several meters in front of me.  His eyes twinkled, but not in the Santa Claus kind of way, and he smiled a creepy sort of smile and recited a several line piropo which I was not able to make out.  Gosh, if it weren't for his creepy delivery, I think I would have felt flattered. 

When I lived in Spain in the late 80's and early 90's, receiving piropos was part of my daily existence.  While on occasion, it bothered me, on just as many occasions, it raised my self esteem.  Of course, it is all in the delivery, and it depends on what is said and how it is said.  Some women find piropos to be offensive but I often found them to be a bit amusing. 

Many of the common piropos mention food.  

Eres mas bueno que el pan - Translation - You're better than bread -  - (Remember - Spaniards take their bread seriously)

Tanta carne y yo a dieta!  Translation - So much meat and I'm on a diet!

Eres de verdad o estoy sonando?  Excuse me - are you real or am I dreaming?

I remember walking in Sevilla with my mother and the two of us receiving a piropo at the same time.   Something like - Si asi esta la madre - como estara la hija - Translation - If the mother is that fine - I can't imagine how the daughter will be.   

Along the same note -  Se nota que tu mamá es pastelera, porque bombones como tú no los hace cualquiera.  Translation - You can tell that your mother is a pastry chef, because not everyone can make a 'bonbon' like you.

It's 2007, and the truth is, I'm just a bit older, and probably look like just another "senora" walking down the street.  Or maybe it's the three year old attached to me as I walk down the street.  Or perhaps my husband looks like a body guard and they're afraid he will beat them up.  

So tell me.  Have piropos disappeared in Spain?  Is it simply not a Valencian custom?  Or....have I lost my touch?  Ok, ok.  I get it.  I may just have to shape up, dress up, or go back 20 years in my time machine to get those same piropos I used to.  

Free stuff at the Spanish newstands.  "Perfect," says Mitch.  "I love free and you love stuff."  I'll admit there is some truth to his statement.   Although I would have never purchased that belt in a store that I occasionally wear, the fact that it was free -  1) prompted me the buy the magazine and 2) prompts me to wear it occasionally given that it is the only one like it in my closet!

The ever-changing series of "freebies" that are attached to periodicals in Spain is not seen in the U.S.   I have noticed this trend in the U.K. as well but I'm not sure how common it is throughout the rest of Europe. 

I explained this peculiarity to a vendor the other day (in an effort to explain why I was taking a picture of her newstand.)  It didn't make sense to her that a particular periodical, Elle for example, would only use this approach in Spain as opposed to worldwide.  I have spoken with other shop owners who complain that the practice complicates their lives because it is so hard to predict what these magazines will come out with next - and where to put all of the unpredictablly sized items. 

Several months ago, Las Provincias, a local Valencian newpaper was giving away a different type of glass everyday for a few weeks.  I was thrilled to stock up on glasses for our sparsely equipped furnished kitchen.  Unfortunately, only one glass remains of that free collection.  It's clear, these are not always high quality give aways.

El Pais, the national newspaper, had a weekly coupon in their Sunday paper, for a 1 euro animal book if purchased alongside of the paper.  We have a nice collection of them as shown in the picture above and I know Ben will appreciate them when he gets a bit older.  We were a bit disappointed to discover last Sunday that the promotion had ended, but we wound up with a Duke Ellington CD instead. 

The lastest Las Provincias Sunday paper promotion is a free book about a different world museum each week.  Mitch, the self-named "anti-crap" guy is inspired to buy the Sunday paper so we will have large, encyclopedia style books in Spanish about world museums around the house.  Although I think it goes against his anti-accumulation stance, I will say in his defense that the books are nicely done.  I was also impressed to see Ben and his Dad discussing art last Sunday evening.  When Mitch asked Ben what he saw in a painting, Ben told a story about the one hump camels he used to see when he (the three year old) was in Iraq.  :)

The joke in our house is that I hate science.  My dear husband is always trying to explain how things work and when I brush him off, he reminds me that I'm not qualified to home school our child.  (not on my agenda btw)  The truth is, in many areas, I am not really interested in the why.  I'm content to know that water boils when heated as opposed to the why, how and when it boils.  The same goes for technology.  I can sell it, just don't ask me to design it!  (Note, husband started technology blog because wife's eyes glazed over when he wanted to share....now all you techies can find him at (http://scrappyuntechie.com))

The science museum in Valencia however really lit my fire.  We arrived just after opening this morning at 10:00 am and as usual, we were delighted with the extremely light Sunday morning crowds at Spanish museums.  It has to be the best time to visit a museum in this country.

We started on the top floor with a series of interactive exhibits about the brain, human health and strength, gravity, nature, animals, you name it.  Because so much of the museum's exhibits are interactive, it is really an ideal experience for children, no matter what their ages.  In addition, there is a special one hour supervised activity that children ages 4-7 can participate in if registered.  Ben was very sad when he learned he couldn't attend. 

Also on the top floor were a series of incubators where baby chicks were hatching.  Although I waited and waited, I did not catch one actually hatching.  I did see the little chickies stumbling around their recently hatched shells.  Simply adorable.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this exhibit.  Perhaps a glance at the pictures Mitch took of me will show.  I was mesmerized. 

We all learned how to make the best paper airplane ever.  We were shocked at how far this one actually flew. 

Finally, there is a sailing exhibit, appropriately so as Valencia is the site of the 32nd America's Cup late this Spring.  The Desafio Espanol ESP 51, one of the first Spanish Challenger sailboats used in training for the America's Cup is within the museum, incredibly so, as it is 32 meters high.  This boat was apparently purchased from the American team One World Challenge who used it to compete in the last America's Cup race in New Zealand.  The exhibit takes you along side the boat on a moving platform with an 8 minute commentary complete with images and sound provided by a large panel screen. 

We dreamed of living in Spain for a while.  It was a bit of a dare, but here we are, and looking back, there wasn't much to it.  (Thanks Mom and Mom and Dad for storing all of those boxes for us :)  We're not sure why we needed all of that stuff)

We showed our friend Tom the beach last weekend and flew a kite for Benjamin as well.  While there, Ben noticed the horseback riders on the beach. 

How cool.  I assumed they would be used in the Three Kings parade scheduled for later in the day.  But no, we later found out as we saw the riders and their horse having a little martini break.  They were simply out for a weekend ride.  They live up the beach in Alboraya and take their horses out every once in a while.  We were very impressed. 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you just need to dare to live as you dream.  Hats off to our equestrian friends.  I like their style!

The great thing about having visitors is that you tour all those sites in your backyard that you've been meaning to visit.  We spent at least an hour visiting the Cathedral of Valencia - an impressive structure.  I am always drawn to contrasts, images and shadows in old cathedrals like that - so most of this post will feature some of the photos I took.  Perhaps some of my family members who listened to every single word on those audio tapes will send in their contributions!

I noticed the contrast between the ultra modern lightboards with the ancient organ pipes. 

The stained glass window was just beauti ful.

It was hard for me not to notice the left arm of Saint Vicent Ferrer, but apparently I did not notice the skull and body of another saint.

I was struck at the lighting and the sheer size of the crucifx in the Cathedral but did not notice until I opened the photos how the stained glass window reflected light on the cross.

Our first visitors, my brother and his family, arrived on December 26th and we were delighted to show them around.  We spent several days in Valencia, a night in Tarragona and three nights in Barcelona.  I have a lot more to write about all of these places, but for the time, I thought I would simply share some of their reflections on their trip.

The first photo is of them enjoying some chocolate and churros on Thursday morning at the Cabanyal Street Market.

Amy (10) - -

We went to the circus and Ben had to get up and dance to all the music. Mostly all of us thought it was one of the best circus's we have ever seen. Personally that was my first circus so I can't judge it, but I really enjoyed the circus.

 Andy (14) - - When we were in Valencia, it seemed like the cops were very loose with enforcing minor violations. For example, the double parking; it was everywhere. People would park around the corners, halfway up on the sidewalks, and behind parked cars. When they would park behind a parked car in a parking place, they would leave the car in neutral so that the person, who was trapped in the parking spot, could just push the car away to back out. Also, the Vespa's and motorcycles seemed oblivious to any law. They would stop at the red light, and then just go when they had the chance.

The circus in Valencia was also a lot of fun. I was expecting animals doing a lot of tricks, but there were actually only a few animal acts. The few that they did have weren't that good either. The circus was very entertaining and funny.

Alex (17) - - There were schools inside of court yards surrounded by apartment buildings.  The circus we went to see was in a very small tent but still good quality.   

People double parked everywhere and just allowed others to roll there cars out of the way when they needed to move blocked in cars.   All buildings are made out of cement and bricks and look very old. Some parts of the city look run down and there are many buildings that are falling down and/or collapsing and/or under construction.   The 17 y/o male cannot think of other things at the time to write about.

Patrick and the kids strolling through Barcelona

Patrick - - Quite a trip.  Long time getting here but well worth it.  The architeture is amazing - every house has a court yard - really neat.   People really friendly.  Vibrant color for clothes.   

A bakery on every corner.   Local food all tasty.   Beaches look inviting.  Enjoyed shopping.  Would love to come back.  

Jeannie - - Valencia was not what I expected.  It was much larger,more diverse and not as "quaint" as I had pictured. I loved the mix of people, shops, and sights. There were areas that were clean and appeared to be residential for wealthy people and a few blocks away, it was dirtier and more crowded but more friendly. Go figure! Although it was winter, there were palm trees and orange trees in full bloom. The beach was larger and cleaner than I imagined. And there were lots of cultural activities.

Tarragona was my favorite of the 3 cities we visited. It was also on the sea, it was clean and friendly and obviously geared toward the tourist trade. The educational element was also neat because it was fun to go back to the early roman empire days without sitting in a classroom! We could have been in Italy for all I know.  (Photo of Jeannie looking like the parapazzi is following her!)

Barcelona, our last city we visited, seemed huge and tiny, all at once. It was similar to NY because it was crowded and filled with fancy shops. There was also a great cultural center where we saw lots of street entertainers. If we had more time, I'd have loved to go to the theatre, comedy shows or more museums.

All 3 cities were wonderful to walk around. I never felt uncomfortable even with the language barrier.  Of course, all of this would not have been possible without Emily and mitch. Emily was our tour guide, translator, interpreter, organizer, hostess, meal planner and of course shopper. She put lots of effort into making our experience in Spain memorable. I can't thank her enough for opening her home and heart to us.

The festival of Hanukkah has just passed.  Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of oil.  Following the victory of the Jews over the Maccabees, they wanted to rededicate the temple but only had enough oil to burn for one day.  Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, enough time to prepare new oil. 

It is customary to eat foods fried in oil during the holiday.  I smiled as I made our latkes (potato pancakes)  They were perfect!  Here in Spain, I have become an expert at using vast amounts of olive oil.  As a matter of fact, it's like Hanukkah all year long.  For breakfast, toast with olive oil and salt.  For lunch, some fish, chicken or beef fillets, breaded and thrown into the frying pan.  How about a Spanish tortilla - an egg and potato omelet - made in a frying pan with olive oil?  Garlic and artichokes sauteed in olive oil?  Yup, it's olive oil all day long.  We will get our cholesterol checked the day we get off the plane and we'll see if that olive oil, garlic and wine really do lower your cholesterol.  :)

How do you like our menorahs?  As they say, necessity (and a three year old) are the mothers of invention.

Valencians celebrate Christmas eve with family and eat A LOT of fish - mostly shellfish.  I read that the average Valencian spends 271 euros on food for the holiday.  We were not invited to anyone's house for dinner :( but judging from the lines at the supermarket, the smells from the windows and the cars triple parked in our plaza, there were some major feasts!

We have our very first house guests arrive tomorrow so we have been excitingly preparing!  However, we made some time for a family walk to the beach this afternoon.   Below, the photos....

Can you believe that some Europeans consider the Americans to be tacky????

Confirming that there is too much commercialism on this side of the globe as well.  And well, the trash confirmed the large seafood dinners I have heard about but I don't think I need to share any more details or close up trash pictures. 

 The fishing boats always look so nice, especially later in the day.  Ben runs to play fisherman.

 Check out Ben's surfing moves!

Me?  Embarrassed that my husband insisted on wearing antlers all day while asking me how to say antlers???? And me worrying if what I told him in Spanish slang means something other than antlers????  Never.  And you know, not a single person asked him about them although he received his fair share of looks.  Then again, we often have our dog in the stroller along with a child so that too causes a bit of curiosity.

In our next photo, our sometimes decrepit acting dog took about 8 years off of her life, or so it seemed as she ventured into the ocean and ran circles around us in happiness.  She swam to her heart's content and now is back to her senior self. 

Good night and Bon Nadal!