Today, it was a beautiful sunny day so we took a walk over to see the Falles Museum. The Falles festival, originated in Valencia. I can not wait for it, as it is happening from March 15th to the 19th, and it is out of this world!
Falles is a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph. The term Falles refers to both the celebration and the monuments burnt during the celebration. The Falles festival was recently added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity list on November 30, 2016.
There are different thoughts about the origin. One suggests that they started in the Middle Ages, when artisan disposed of the broken artifact and pieces of wood they saved during the winter by burning them to celebrate the spring equinox. Valencian carpenters used planks of wood called parots to hang their candles on during the winter, as these were needed to provide light to work by. With the coming of spring, they were no longer needed and so they were burned. Over time, and with the intervention of the Church, the date of the burning of these parots was arranged to coincide with the celebration of the festival of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters.
There are only a few small Falles, called ninots (a figure with a human representation) that get "pardoned" (by popular vote) from being burned and they go into this museum.
BTW when we went to pay our entrance fee, we forgot that on Sunday's the museums are FREE!
Here are a few of my favorites.
Da man, fishing for dollars!
The 60's flower power? Or what do you think?
Monday, January 30th
It is always nice to get back into a routine. This week we went back to Spanish school. However we are trying a new school, it is called Understand Valencia.
We met with the the previous week and Stella and she spoke with us to get a feel for our spanish. We both then attended an A1+ class last Thursday. Afterwards she felt as though it would be best that I stay in the A1+ and Beth attend the A2 class. Therefore we go to class on different days. Beth started today and goes on Monday's and Wednesday's and I go Tuesday's and Thursday's. We like this school because it is not ONLY grammar. Of course they must teach grammar but they practice more talking than our previous school.
We also started back at the gym this week. Beth joined a new one, quite cutting edge and upscale near our school called Tyris Spa and I returned to Personal Gim, near our apartment.
Friday, February 3rd
We knew today was going to warm, 21 (about 70) and Beth wanted to check out a terrace restaurant called Petit Bistró Terrace, in the Cathedral Suites Hotel. We invite our friends Chiara (Italy), Dale (England), Eddie and Heather (San Jose, CA), Celine and Jean (Canada) to join us. It was wonderful, the view of the cathedral was fantastic, the food excellent and the company great....another wonderful day in Valencia.
Saturday, February 4th
Another warm day 21, we are enjoying it as the middle of next week and next weekend is going to get colder 15 (59) and rain.
We walked over to Ruzafa as there was a traditional market happening today. We bought some honey, cheese and a few small gifts and just enjoyed the "scene". We loved seeing this man manually pedadling kids around on a merry-go-round
After enjoying the market we went over to a vegetarian restaurant called Copenhagen. We loved eating outside and had an excellent salad, hummus, mini veggie burgers.
We have experience a number of bachelorette parties during our time in Valencia. They typically are on Saturdays and many, like this on our street Isabel la Catolica have marching band!
Tonight, starting at 10:00pm we joined a group of about 12 people to see a group called Orjazzmic play at No Hay Nada Mejor Que 27 Amigos (There is nothing better than 27 friends).
Here is a short video, in the club, of them playing Chan Chan from Buena Vista Social Club.
The band was fantastic, check out this YouTube video where they are playing "Ain't No Sunshine"
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