Our great friends, Myra and Richard from San Francisco, arrived via the train from Barcelona on Thursday, September 29th.  We were excited to see them and host them for the next 5 nights.  

We had so much to catch up on, including Richard's 70th birthday party at the Fairmont hotel, which we unfortunately missed, how Myra was progressing with her knee injury, how her parents are doing, catching up on the news from other mutual friends like Randy, Jay and Mattie and Kevin and Susan.  We could not stop talking.  

Friday, September 30th - we started the day by walking down Called Colón de Valencia, it's the place to shop and we are within steps of it!  Our goal was to take a short walk and circle back to our apartment.  We first walked by the the Plaza de Toros (bullring), which was and interesting architecture because it resembles Rome's Colosseum, it was built between 1850 and 1860 and is very interesting. 

Right next to the bullring is the North train station, Estacion del Nord with over 150 years of history.  Its facade, with plant motifs, oranges and orange blossoms, inspired by Valencian agriculture and includes, among other references to the city, the four red stripes on a gold background of the Valencian heraldic shield.  For more details about the decor read the description in this link and check out the photo's too!  In the train station was a car exhibit of the Seat 850 models, which you might notice is based on the Fiat 850!

From here we walked to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, or "Town Hall Square".  It is a beautiful building. here are a few of the images Richard and I enjoyed, including a model posing for us!

  
We then made our way home to relax a bit before our next journey.  We took Myra and Richard on the Metro to the Marina Beach Club on Playa (beach) Malvarrosa.  We just HAD to buy Richard a drink to belatedly celebrate his 70th birthday!

  Are having a good time....you bet!  We followed cocktails with dinner at La Pepica, founded in 1898 and it was a favorite spot of Ernest Hemingway.  We enjoyed baby clams, fried patron peppers, of course some paella and just a great first full day!

When we got home with Richard we watched the Giants vs. Dodgers game in San Francisco....we won and it was fantastic to watch it with Richard 

Saturday, October 1st - we rented a car and took a drive down to Javea or Xàbia in Valencian.  We drove through Denia, which we all feel is not a lovely as Javea.  Next we took them to the over view so they could see the bay and town of Javea

The next thing we did was to have a wonderful lunch at Noray at the beach.  Excellent location, food and service!

This is the wine we had for lunch which we loved.

And Myra and Richard at the statue in front of the restaurant.

After lunch we went to the beach to get a little sun, swim in the Mediterranean sea, the water temperature was a wonderful 73 degrees, even Richard enjoyed it!  Another great day together.

Tonight with some Johnny Walker Black with some Cohiba's torpedo cigars.  SUCH A GREAT NIGHT, with the GIANTS beating the Dodgers and us living and loving life@

Sunday, October 2nd - Richard and me went to see the Valencia VCF they played Atletico Madrid, unfortunately we lost 2 nil.  It was my 2nd game this year and the 2nd loss I've witnesses.

This evening all of us were attending Erev Rosh Hashanah services followed by dinner.  Given the history of Jews in Spain, it is understandable that these congregations are very secretive.  I was not made aware of the location of these services, in which dinner followed until the day before.  Plus I received conflicting location address and a crazy hand made driving video as though I knew how to drive to this location.  To make a long story short we left at 7:30 for a 15 to 20 minute drive for 8:00 services....after 3 calls and and hour in the cab someone from the temple came to meet the cab, which I had stopped close to our location as I was using google maps.  It only took us an hour....it turns out it was near the military airport.  It worked out ok because we caught the ned of services then then the entire dinner.  Myra and Richard met our American friends Roz and Steven at dinner. 

Monday, October 3 -  Today we went to Rosh Hashanah for services and including Myra, Richard and me we made up 25% of the total congregation. This New Year is 5777!

Tonight we all enjoyed dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant Lambrusqueria.  Our last night together!

Tuesday, October 4th - We are sad to see them go but Myra and Richard are on their way Lake Como, followed by Parma, Bologna, to the Ferrari museum and then to Venice.

We relax for a few days before our next guests arrive....Michael Stelluto and Laura Flessel.