La paella se sirve mejor en la playa

Two days since I returned from my holiday in Valencia - I needed a vacation from the vacation! Barely had time to sit until Sunday on the beach. I met a fellow American on the train Friday who happened to be staying in the same hostel AND room as me. Small world for sure. We started the weekend off right with delicious authentic paella at a small cafe. Paella is a rice dish made in a hugh cast iron skillet with saffron, vegetables, and some kind of meat, usually seafood on the coast (ours was chicken and rabbit). After, we were able to see the Catedral and several other monuments, because in Spain things are open from 5-9. This makes more sense than the MO in America, where you practically have to skip work in order to get anything done. Or run errands on your lunch break. People here believe that meals are an event, which is definitely how it should be. Even to-go drinks and food are somewhat of an anomaly, whereas in the states the coffee barista just assumes you want your grande mochachino 'para llevar'.

Saturday we returned to the Catedral to see the 'Santo Grial' and I just know that it is the real Holy Grail. It has the most convincing story, anyway. The Catedral also has a century-old mummified arm of some saint, and a ton of really old art, some of which you can touch (never would be allowed in U.S.!). I think it's strange how Christianity in general is supposed to be about renouncing earthly riches, yet so many denominations, especially Catholocism, build huge cathedrals and basilicas filled with priceless gold and gemstone decorations. I mean, I'm glad they took the initiative to save all of those artifacts, but as for actual church, if I go it should be outside in nature - God's creation, not man's. Just seems more logical.

After the Catedral and scaling the massive Micalet tower (leg pain for 2 days after that one), we found the Mercado Central. Much much bigger than the one here in Zaragoza, and so much fresh food to choose from! I wish we had one back home! I bought sugared figs, strawberries, and the best sweet oranges ever. We also tried horchata, a local specialty drink made from tigernut, and it was terrible - the only thing I've had so far that I absolutely do not like. Feels like powdered sugar going down your throat. I did get a laugh out of the farton, which is the doughnut-like thing you are supposed to dunk in horchata. A five-euro random wine tasting and then epically delicious tapas and cider at a cider bar (also need one of these in Athens!) made up for the bad horchata though - chorizo cooked in cider? Yes please!

The Oceanográfic is part of a huge new futuristic complex - Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias. It is largest aquarium in Europe, and has a dolphin show, which was the best part. For some reason there were people at one end of the pool who apparently were competing with the dolphins. One would dive from the high dive, and then the dolphins would jump high in the air, and so on.

After a rest Saturday night, we went out on a pub crawl with people from our hostel and other hostels. Six places with a free drink at each for 15 euros? Can't turn that down! Felt kind of bad for waking up the 2 other girls in our room when we got back, but they really should expect that sort of thing in a youth hostel. Sunday we ventured to la playa (beach) to chill, and it was pretty empty until lunchtime at 2. Of course, right when we wanted to eat. Most of the massive crowd were locals, I think. They had reservations. Luckily we were able to find a table outside on the beach at one place and had delicious paella (even better than the first place). Awesome weekend - can't wait to pick my next destination!

Travel tip: Research how to find good authentic food before you go. It may not be as cheap as the chain restaurant stuff, but it's way more worth it to spend money on food experiences then useless stuff.