Hello, World! The moment has arrived to finally start my blog. Seizing the opportunity presented by my move to Valencia, I plan to document my Erasmus adventure regularly. This endeavor also marks the realization of a New Year’s resolution.
# Arriving
Coming from the east, I had this amazing view from the right side (to the North) of the plane. In the middle, one can see Estació del Nord. The green strip is the Jardín del Turia, one of the largest urban parks in Spain. Between them is the city center. Even though I had barely any sleep, I landed really excited in Spain.
# Sun
The day I arrived was sunny. After months of working from 8 AM to 5 PM in Bavaria, where I had only seen a few hours of sun each week, I enjoyed a small breakfast and spent the late morning and midday relaxing in the sun at Plaza de la Reina. It felt awesome to finally get some sunlight after being deprived.
# Valencian way of life
For my first two nights in Valencia, I chose an AirBnb, sharing the accommodation with my host, Pastor, his wife, and another guest. Pastor, an older Valencian local and who speaks good English, provided insights into the Valencian way of life:
Work-Life Balance: “You work the least amount possible and maximize your free time. You work to live, and not the other way around!” - Pastor (paraphrased)
Tranquilo: Everything is approached with a sense of tranquilo. Valencians try to stay relaxed, easygoing, and calm, avoiding unnecessary stress.
Almuerzo: A Valencian must-do is the Almuerzo, a break between 10 AM and 11 AM, considered more important than the siesta. During this break, people either meet friends or spend time with coworkers. A popular choice is the Cafe del tiempo, an espresso served with a glass containing an ice cube and a slice of lemon. Many also eat pastries during this time.
Siesta: The well-known tradition of siesta is also popular in Valencia. It is mainly done because of the heat. During the week, most people do not actually sleep but just relax. I also adopted the tradition of siesta quickly, even tho it is not hot in January.
Nightlife: Valencian often work till 8 PM and prefer late dinners. People generally go out to meet their friends. It used to be very uncommon to invite friends to one’s home, but that is slowly changing over the last decades. That is the reason why the city is so lively in the evening.
# Internet
Arriving in Valencia, I had 5G for the first time ever. Because of free roaming, this also does not cost me anything extra, and I can just keep my German number for now. The coverage is also almost city-wide. A big technological achievement from a German point of view.
# Spanish skills
My spanish skills are better than expected. I was first a bit confused by the signs in the streets. Most of them are in both Valencian and Spanish. I am able to understand most things, order in a restaurant, ask simple questions and talk about the basics my self.
On my first day, I wanted to answer to a beggar who gave me a tourist map: “I am sorry. I do not have more money. I am a student. Go ask a rich man”. I later realized that my last sentence was more like “Go learn, (and be a) rich man” which also explained his confused reaction.
# Bicycles
On my second day, I rented a city bicycle using Valenbisi. Valencia has a good network of bicycle lanes that are physically separated from the street. Both directions are usually on one side of the street. Most Spaniards wear a helmet but seem to view traffic lights more like a recommendation than a rule. The Valenbisi bicycles are heavy, so I initially thought about buying a bicycle. However, property crimes seem to be popular, so I am going to lease a bicycle from kleta. I am looking forward to mainly useing the bicycle to get around the city.
# Crime
Upon arriving in Valencia, I was aware that theft was more common. To stay aware of my surroundings, I avoid listening to music while walking the streets, something I often do at home. I wear a travel money belt snug below my chest and worn under my jacket. Despite my mindfulness, my sunglasses were stolen on the third day, covering a kilometer from my AirBnb to the central train station. They must have been taken from my backpack while waiting at a traffic light.
Avoid places like Casitas Rosas, Cabanyal (especially Calle Progreso), and the Riverbed area, particularly at night. UPV and the Local Police offer usefull information.
Valencia is still the safest big city in Spain!
# Food
In the first three days, I had already tried some typical Spanish food. The following is what I liked the most:
Jamón Serrano: My favorite ham overall. As one can expect, the variety is as big as it can get in Spain. Also, it is a lot cheaper than in Germany. I enjoy the Tostadas con tomate y jamón (toast with tomato and ham) introduced to me by the wife of my AirBnb host.
Flan de Queso: Flan de queso is a caramel-flavored dessert with cream cheese, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk. I also tried Flan de Huevo, which has a similar texture, but I prefer it less.
Empanada: On the first evening, I tried the typical Empanadas filled with spinach and meat. An empanada is a filled pastry with ingredients, wrapped in a crust, and cooked by baking or frying.
Getting good coffee in Valencia is easy. There is at least one kiosk, bakery, café, or restaurant on every street, and they all have a portafilter machine. An espresso is named Café solo and the default choice.
# To Be Continued
My next post is going to be about the intensive Spanish course in Gandia.