Lost in Valencia: Numbers, Sunshine, and Slightly Questionable Paella
okay, so i’m still processing. valencia. just…valencia. i saw these two numbers - 5856195 and 1840013305 - and my brain just short-circuited. felt like a cryptic message from the travel gods, y’know? it's probably nothing, but it set the tone for the whole trip. the weather report said temp:23.98, feels_like:24.24, temp_min:23.51, temp_max:24.51, pressure:1021, humidity:69, sea_level:1021, grnd_level:1012. a whole lotta…stuff. i just checked and it's…warm. there right now. hope you like that kind of thing.
figured i'd go off-script a little this time. no perfect itineraries, no curated feeds. just…whatever happens. landed late, bleary-eyed, and immediately grabbed a horchata from this tiny hole-in-the-wall place near the *beach. seriously, the best thing i’ve ever tasted. it’s like milky rice goodness.
basically, i spent the first day wandering. got gloriously lost in the El Carmen neighborhood. it’s this labyrinth of narrow streets, all colorful buildings and little shops selling everything from handmade ceramics to vintage clothes. i stumbled upon a small tapas bar where the owner, a guy with a magnificent mustache, tried to convince me that his patatas bravas were the best in the world. i'm still not convinced, but they were pretty darn good.
The city itself is just... buzzing. there's a constant hum of activity, the smell of oranges in the air, and the sound of laughter spilling out of cafes. if you get bored, Madrid is just a short drive away. i’m thinking of doing a day trip later in the week.
spent a ridiculously long time in the Central Market. it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. mountains of fresh produce, seafood glistening on ice, and the aroma of spices hanging heavy in the air. i swear i saw a guy juggling oranges. and the paella…oh, the paella.
heard that the Museo de Bellas Artes is amazing, but i haven’t gotten around to it yet. someone told me that the lines are insane. maybe i’ll try to go early one morning. also, a local warned me about the tourist traps around the Plaza de la Reina. apparently, they're all overpriced and underwhelming. good to know! i'm trying to stick to places where the locals eat. i found a cool little blog about hidden gems in valencia - check it out: Valencia Hidden Gems.
“Don’t even think about ordering seafood paella from the touristy restaurants near the harbor. It’s usually frozen and sad.” - overheard gossip at a bar near the beach
my biggest takeaway? valencia is a city that rewards wandering. just get lost, follow your nose, and see what you find. and maybe avoid the jugglers. they’re a little too enthusiastic.
planning on heading to the beach* tomorrow. hopefully soaking up some sun and eating more horchata. and maybe deciphering what those numbers meant in the first place. any ideas? also, anyone recommend a good flamenco show? TripAdvisor Valencia Restaurants is my go-to for restaurant finds.
(p.s. i'm pretty sure i accidentally ordered snails. they were…an experience.)
Get your Valencia guide here on Yelp
but seriously, valencia. go. just go. it's a mess, it's amazing, and it'll probably involve snails.
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