Valencia

A trip that starts with an open row has potential. 

After 11.5 hrs of flight and several train transfers that brought a 2 hr layover to 5 minutes, I settled in for the final stretch. 

I’ve known this guy since our second day at Annapolis; it’s been a minute. He and his lovely wife Michele decided to live in Valencia for 3 months and they put out the welcome mat. I don’t need to be asked twice. 

Not sure I’ll be eating here…

Gawd….lunch the next day is Salmon Tartare, Pulpo Carpaccio, and ridiculous bruschetta. 

Not a cat house, but an entry to a lot specifically for strays. 

Time for some authentic food…

Meanwhile, the kid sent me her latest project….I really like the guy’s hair and hand. 

Don’t ever go to the market hungry…

Cool stuff on the way to the coast. 

La Pepica has some great food and an excellent view. 

Tapas, anyone? This place was tiny and insanely good. 

Sardines

Padron peppers. 

Smooth anchovies. 

Cuttlefish…so good. 

The third of us Three Musketeers, Eric Hoy, is back in CT working hard on his newly found retirement. The store owner called him out before we arrived. 

The water of Valencia is quite pleasing. 

I shouldn’t be hungry, but…

The Cathedral holds an interesting find…

THE GRAIL!!!

Many, MANY an afternoon was spent watching Monty Python while in college. It’s not just a flesh wound. 

In 1424, Alphonso the Magnanimous brought the Grail here. His name reminded me of something my kid called herself back in the day: ZoZo the Epic. 

My dad would have looked down his nose at the pipe organ….(well, probably not). He was a master organist, could raise the roof. I clearly remember him bringing us to his Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn on Saturdays….he’d put us on the organ bench next to him, then he’d have 5 levels of keys screaming Toccata and Fugue in G Minor…..think ‘death.’ I’d watch his feet dancing across the foot pedals like Gregory Hines. 

Bethany Baptist….the organ is off frame to the left….huge scale. 

My kid needs to move here…the street art is rockin’

Next day’s lunch was at Central Bar, the countertop restaurant by Michelin starred chef Rickard Camarena. The pork cheeks were insanely good…..he does amazing work. And the bar is an order of magnitude less expensive than his signature locations. 

We stayed in and cooked a pretty good seafood pasta. I’m learning how to plate!

Morning stroll thru the park. These folks were hitting it early. 

So was I…added about 20% intensity and duration, and I was feeling it later!

Did i mention the street art? 

Nice stroll thru the northern reaches…this park used to be a river. 

Any Ted Lasso fans out there? Danny Rojas said,  ‘futbol is life!’ Local team has a match this weekend we’re trying to get into…

We did a few miles today, schlepped back down to the coast. Good vibes, indeed. 

This isn’t exactly Rahway, NJ

Tinto Verano? Yes, please. 

More padron peppers and other goodness. 

The flags were in better shape today. 

The salmon hollandaise was definitely on point. 

Of course, I thought of Freddy Mercury..

Downtown plaza. This is a nice sized city; not too big, not too small.

After a whole bunch of hacking, we score tix to the soccer match!

He’s here, he’s there, he’s every fucking where….ROY KENT!

(Well, he looks like Roy, anyway)

The band was kickin’

It’s not the 7 train to Shea, but it’s close

Big thanks to Ken and Michele for extending the welcome mat!! Good way to start my retirement trip.