¡Hola España!

So, here is my first blog post from Spain! I’ve been here for a week and a half and it’s been a crazy time of settling in, getting to know people and the place, and perhaps most difficulty, switching from talking in French to Spanish.

After unpacking, repacking, weighing, repacking, taking things out of my case and adding in other things, last Thursday (31^st January) I caught the train to London to stay with Rachel as my flight to Valencia was at 7.30am and my train to the airport was at an even earlier 5.30am. There was a little sense of déjà-vu as the last time I had made this journey was in September on the way to France. After dumping my luggage, we decided to go for an afternoon jaunt to Brighton where we walked on the beach, I got rid of my pounds in the arcades (and became quite obsessed over winning multiple little ‘Brighton’ teddy-bear ornaments) and dinner before returning to London.

With My Bear Family

 

I didn’t sleep well that night with lots of apprehension of what was to come: Would I arrive ok? What would my flatmates be like? Could Spain match the time I had had in France? After what felt like no sleep I got up at 3.30am, got my things together and caught the train from London Victoria to Gatwick and then did my best to keep myself awake as I waited to board my flight. Next to me on the plane was a Spanish lady and her three year old son. We had a great conversation as she asked where I was going and what I was doing – She told me about her Erasmus experience (many years ago as she put it, but she looked rather young to me!) She also told me all about Valencia and how much of a great time I’d have; I almost felt as if she worked for the tourist board!

I landed in Valencia at 11am and the heat was welcomed, having departed a freezing cold London, quickly collected my luggage and I then met someone who had come to collect me from the airport to take me to sign the contract for my flat. Incidentally, 2 other Brits were using this service and had been on my flight and the guy, Chris, had even been sat opposite me on the train to Gatwick – small world! After around 3 hours of waiting and chatting in the offices (this was apparently their busiest day of the year as people left and arrived,) I finally received the keys to my flat and after a short drive, I had arrived ‘home!’

I have three flatmates – Maria who is Spanish, Maddie who is American and Spela who is from Slovenia. The first afternoon and evening was quite weird and I felt quite alone. I had become accustomed to having Alex living in the room above me and tons of friends throughout Arpej but now I was living in a flat with three people who I didn’t know and I felt a little awkward and out of place. I spent the evening making the place feel like home and sorting things out, getting used to my new surroundings. Naturally, it would take a little time to get used to everything new.

The next morning I discovered that there was a Carrefour nearby. As I had become used to the products they sell in France, I thought it would be a good idea to shop there as I knew what I would be buying, despite the fact there is a Mercadona (Spanish supermarket chain) 5 seconds from my front door. Google said the walk should take around seven minutes but one wrong turn meant it took me an hour and a half and it would have been longer had it not been for the maps on my iPhone. I eventually found it in a shopping centre and saw many shops that I recognised – much better than Chambéry on the shopping front! That evening I met with Anya, her dad and Alex and her family and we all had dinner in a Japanese restaurant. Now I had seen some familiar faces I felt much happier and knew we’d have a great time!

The rest of the week was spent getting to know the area, getting to know people and settling into la vida española. Chris and Sam, 2 guys from Cardiff who have been here since September, kind of took us under their wing, helping us with things and introducing us to their friends both British and Spanish alike, along with other students from around the world. There’ve been Nights out (which start and end very late here,) restaurants, exploring and plenty more.

 

Me, Alex, Sam, Chris & Anya

Nuevos Amigos!

 

Anya & I

Sam & Chris

 

 

 

There’s a scheme here similar to the Boris Bikes in London: After paying a yearly fee of 20eur, we can rent them with no charge for half an hour and its then 50 cents for each subsequent half an hour. There’re stations located throughout the city and it’s a cheap and quick way to get around a city which feel huuuuge compared to Chambéry. A few days ago, Alex, Anya and I cycled through Valencia, to the port and then down to the seafront – the first time we had seen the beach. After finding somewhere to park our bikes (it took a few attempts, clearly everyone stops at the beach!) we wandered along the front before stopping a beautiful little restaurant/bar where we had some delicious tapas. Valencia is much cheaper than Chambéry and so we’ll no doubt be eating out more than we ever did there!

Bikes

Beach

 

 

Shadows

Jumping!

Anya & I cycling

 

 

On Monday, Alex and I cycled to the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum in the ‘City of Arts & Sciences (a huuuuge, futurist complex constructed in the remains of a riverbed) where we explored a number of interesting exhibits – I can apparently lift 48kg with my right hand – interesting stuff, we had a great laugh and for 6eur, it was a cheap trip out!

 

Museum

The Hulk & I

Alex's audition for Greys Anatomy

Alex & I

Alex

 

Yesterday evening, Valencia was bouncing as the Valencian football team played Paris in La Mestalla – the football stadium which is quite literally opposite Alex’s flat, a 2-3 minute walk from where I live. Anya and Alex were overcome to know that David Beckham had recently joined the team. Unfortunately for them, he had not had time to train and so would not be playing in the match and although he apparently attended the match as a spectator, we didn’t see him. We DID however hear the crazy screams outside the stadium as he arrived on the team bus and went into the stadium so we can at least say we were in the same BUILDING as him! We had all spent 40eur on Valencian merchandise as this meant we’d have a free ticket to the match and so, donning my Valencia polo shirt and scarf, we made our way to our seats though the stands were at a steep incline and there was little walking room – Alyssa, Alex’s flatmate found it amusing to threaten to push me... Following the game we went back to Alex’s flat before going out to a bar – Spanish evenings certainly start late but I’m slowly adapting to the culture!

 

Valencia Merchandise

 

La Mestalla

People: Post Game

 

 

 

Last week we registered our arrival and it took minutes, quicker than anything in Chambéry. Tomorrow we have enrolment and hopefully that’ll be just as easy! Tomorrow afternoon, Chris, Sam, Alex, Anya and I are off to.. PARIS. A mere 2 weeks after leaving, we’re returning to France!

Chris already had a trip planned but left booking flights until the last minute, which meant they were ridiculously expensive and it would be cheaper for him to rent a car – Therefore, the rest of us decided to book a hotel and travel up with him. We’ll leave tomorrow afternoon, stopping at Barcelona in the evening for dinner, before travelling overnight to for a long Parisienne weekend. It’ll be such a fun weekend with the added bonus that we can catch up with Beth who is now working in Paris after spending last semester in Chambéry with us!

Upon arrival, I realised how much my French had improved as I found it difficult to say the simplest of things in Spanish without thinking in French. Admittedly, my Spanish is quickly coming back and improving and I feel like I have already spoken a lot more Spanish in the time I’ve been here than in the same period in France and so it may be a shock to the system to be speaking French all of a sudden. This said, one of Alex’s flatmates is a French-speaking Belgian and so having spoken to her, it should be no problem!

While I am naturally missing the gang in Chambéry, I am having a great time in Valencia and I am most certainly a city person, though I can’t wait for everyone to come and visit. Though the forecasts state temperatures of 15-20 degrees, it doesn’t feel that warm and so I can’t wait for the true warmth to come!

So far so good!

Viva la vida Valenciana, La France j’arrive!
Viva the Valencian life, France here I come!

_________ 

P.S. GOOD NEWS! Hannah has been given permission to come to Spain – She had an operation earlier this week and should be with us in a few weeks after a quick recovery. Yay!

 

We'll Be A Four Once More :)!