Details

So again it has been a while since I have posted.  I have realized that I really have to be in the mood to write to actually do it.  So finally here we are.  This past weekend our group headed to Valencia which is the largest and most important city in this province.  There were a lot of cool things about the trip.  For starters I rode on my first train!  If you have facebook you can see me reading Harry Potter because it felt very much like the Hogwarts Express (minus the redness and the fact that it was not going to Hogwarts...)  After a short ride we headed into the city and just meandered through the small winding streets.  At first glance it reminded me a lot of Alicante, with a lot of the same stores and restaurants, but bigger with much prettier architecture.  Each time we turned a corner it seemed as though the surrounding structures were more and more beautiful.  The attention to detail and care for the aesthetic is something I love about Europe.  Valencia is unique because it is situated on the ocean, but when it was first established it was built around the river rather than the ocean.  The river has since been rerouted and many new modern structures sit in the dried up banks.  Saturday is a bit of a blur because we saw so many things, but a here are a few highlights:  we went to two train stations and the central market which all have unbelievable architecture.  You would think a train station would be pretty plain Jane, but it honestly was one of my favorite things!  The central market was huge and has everything from Spanish ham to fruit smoothies to octopus and everything in between.  In Spain, going to the market it much more than grocery shopping-it is like a ritual where you meet your neighbors family and of course get what you need for the week.  While we were there we ran into a couple American students who kindly gave us some free Paella!  Paella is a phenomenal rice dish that can include sea food, chicken, rabbit, or just vegis.  Traditional Valencia paella has chicken and rabbit.  After going through the cathedral where the supposed Holy Grail resides, we headed back to freshen up and headed out for dinner.  We ate 2 gigantic paellas that were unbelievably delicious.  I really want to learn to make it so that I can attempt to bless you all with this wonderful food.  Oh we also went to the oldest Horchateria in Valencia!  Horchata, which originated in Valencia, is a drink made from soaking tiger nuts and chilling it.  Traditionally you drink it with a pastry that is somewhat like a croissant in the shape of a bread stick with powdered sugar on top.  SOOOO GOOD!

Train station

 Ok moving on from food...Sunday we got up and headed to the largest aquarium in Europe!  It was a lot of fun and I spent a lot of time with Sergio.  We saw sharks, beluga wales, plenty of fish, walruses, seals, and a dolphin show to top it all off.  It was a lot of fun and a nice relaxing day.  I learned that the first man who reached the north pole did it on my birthday in 1909.  You learn something new every day!  On a completely different note, Sunday was one of the girls in our group birthday, and sadly we all forgot.  It was horrible.  So Monday, when we all realized we forgot, we decided to throw a dinner for her!  We all went to Staci and Sammy's apartment and Staci graciously cooked for everyone.  It was a great celebration and great time together.  I felt really blessed because I got to pray for our meal and our night.  I forgot how much I love praying with others, even if I am the only one praying.  I love being able to pour myself out to the Lord and proclaim my faith in Him with witnesses.

The rest of the week has been pretty uneventful.  I have been going to the beach a lot because I have become hyper-aware of how little time I have left here.  It is crazy that almost 2 months have passed!  I had a really great moment last night with my family: Estefania was here to eat dinner with us and her two friends David and Kiko came as well, so those three in addition to the normal 4 made for a very packed table.  Before everyone was sitting down, just Monolo and I were at the table and he yelled into the kitchen that he was sitting with his "hija americana" which means American daughter.  I felt my heart smile a bit when he called me his daughter.  It will most definitely be a sweet sorrow leaving this family.  Alright I am going to stop here before I get to sappy, but look out for a few new posts soon because I am going to Barcelona this weekend!

Standing in awe of His attention to detail,

Sigourney

P.S.  Here is the link to more photos of Valencia if you are interested:
https://picasaweb.google.com/118399779618207214907/Valencia?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMrV-vPTqtzBBQ&feat=directlink