Author: Alondra Bravo Ruano

We woke up early in the morning to catch the bus to Valencia, Spain. This city is known to be modern man in technology and science. It has two major museums that show the different and unique projects created by Spanish scientists. We arrived early in the morning and talked around this beautiful park where you could do lots of activities, such as riding water scooters, canoes and water balls. The park was full of life with families enjoying a picnic and live music with food stands and souvenirs.

As we walked by the park and all these beautiful stands, we got to see a particular movie theater. It was round like the moon and it looked similar to a spaceship. People were able to go in and watch some movies and the experience was totally different from a typical theater in the United States.

After exploring the park, we headed to the old town of Valencia where we got to walk the small streets full of life, food, music and people. We learn about the history of Valencia during the conquest of the Catholic kings Isabel and Fernando.  Also, we were able to see one of the most beautiful and visited churches in Spain. It was magical. It had so many rooms and historical objects, for instance – gold cups, music books, bibles, clothes and gold crowns. Being able to see all these rooms and artifacts was incredibly impressive because you heard the history while you saw it with your own eyes. It is a magical and unforgettable experience.

This trip was full of different eras from the modern part of Valencia where we were able to see more technology and science, along with the older part of the city with so much history and beautiful places. To end the trip, we enjoyed an ice cream and some tapas just like everyday in Spain!

Photos of the church of Valencia and Old town 

Credits: Alondra 

Photos of the science and technology park 

Credits: Alondra 

My first two weeks in Alicante have been full of emotions.  Today my host mom took me to see her house outside the city. She lives in a beautiful village just about 30 minutes outside Alicante. As she drove to the house, we passed many small towns where I saw a slat factory and a goose farm where geese were placed in large ponds to grow and then release them by the shore or for commercial purposes.

Seeing her home brought me almost into tears, because it looked just like my grandpa’s house full of fruit trees, a beautiful view of a lake and a quiet place to be at peace. Seeing the house was one of my best experiences so far. It made me feel connected more to the family knowing they have a house that has similarities to a place I loved as a child and still do as an adult. The house is small and very traditional.  It has old Spanish architecture, the furniture is classic and in fact, she has a radio that is over 100 years old from when the radio was first created in Spain.

After picking some fruit from the trees, we drove down to the market where we could find many delicious items.  The drive to the market was very nice, as we could see every stand from the road. It had bars, clothes, food stands, fruits, veggies, shoes, bags and other commercial items. The market was full of people from all around the world. I did not expect it to be such a touristy place, since it is in the middle of nowhere. However my host mom told me that “Guardamar,” the town where the house is located, has patriotic parties which means their saint is being celebrated with a carnival and little celebrations.

Seeing so many people at the market reminded me of how I would go to these markets with my mom when I was a child. I also bought a purse in the stands. It was so affordable and beautiful! I loved the experience of witnessing a market so similar to those at home in Mexico, but yet different.

Here are some pictures.
Alondra

Bag I purchased 

The patio of the house 

 The market 

The front Patio of the house The salt dunes from the factory