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:: Postcards from the Edge          

     

 

:: Valencia

The fiery Las Fallas festival and the experience of eating authentic Paella Valenciana were stars of the trip. But our "hotel room" was not. The hallways were dark, taking a shower in the common filthy bathroom would only make you feel more dirty and it was just overall a creepy place. Thank God we found another hotel!

Ogre Falla

Throughout the city, colorful Fallas (gigantic paper maiche sculptures) were erected on the streets.

Classical Falla

Each falla is supposed to be a parody of a real person, but we don't know who this is

Rowdy falla

This was one of the bigger, higher-budget fallas sponsored by the tourism board

Virgin Mary

Another highlight of the fiesta is a wooden statue of Mary which will be painstakingly decorated with flowers

Neverending parades

Throughout the entire fiesta, costumed locals parade down the streets, offering flowers to the Virgin Mary

Paella cookoff

We stumbled on the largest paella pan we had ever seen, where men were frantically cooking

Palacio del Marques

This ceramics museum had an elaborate Alabaster doorway

Plaza de l'Almoina

We were looking for ancient ruins, but only found this tranquil pool in the middle of the festivities

Sidreria el Molinon

We had a tapas feast of lengua, chorizo and tortilla at this ciderhouse

Funky street art I

We found this interesting mural on one of the side streets

Funky street art II

Ronnie's street art came complete with a spider web!

Plaza Nueva

Locals work into the night to finish decorating as floral offerings to the Virgin continue

Valenciana breakfast

We had horchata (milk made from tiger nuts) and fartons (long shaped donuts) which you dip in the milk.

Plaza de la Reina

A peaceful morning in the main plaza where the cathedral that supposedly holds the chalice of the Last Supper is located

The Virgin's floral back

The intricate floral design was finished after only one night!

Paella Valenciana

We went to Les Arenes by the sea to sample our first taste of real paella. Honestly, the pinoy version is tastier!

Paseo Maritimo

Valencia has a large beach where we strolled on the sand

The City of Arts and Sciences

This modern complex of edgy architecture and design were in stark contrast to the old town

The Hemispheric

These two buildings look like outerspace helmets

New Boudoir!

Heaven sent room which saved us from our creepy hotel. It was lavishly painted blood red and had a wall size miror

Angry Falla

This was our favorite and most dramatic falla which was situated outside of the City Hall building

La Lonja

Inside the old Silk Market building, was this bright courtyard

Michael Jackson Falla

This was the only falla which we recognized!

XXX Falla

A clever camera trick makes this falla look naughty

Churros mania

On every corner, churros stands could be found feeding the famished crowds.

Robocop Falla

Posing like Japanese in front of this hi-tech falla

Cavalgada del Fuego

This parade of fireworks marched through the city streets. Amazing no buildings caught fire!

Fallas in danger

The fiesta culminates in the simultaneous explosion of all fallas

Blazing Valencia

until the whole city is up in flames!

Completed Virgin

The floral dress of the Virgin Mary is finally complete and basking in the sun