agua de valencia

ciao a tutti!

my last day in valencia turned out really relaxing. a group of us went to the beach (after picking up some fruit and bread from the giant market) for the morning--and by morning, i mean spanish backpackers morning--11ish. i left my sunscreen in lagos so i had to purchase some more. the only one the pharmacy had was spf 60; i didn't even know it went that high, but it was either that or nothing. everyone made fun of the 60 but, whatever, when half of the people came back with what looked like purple sunburns, they weren't making as many jokes then. i'm proud of my shade in a tube.

two of my roommates were from albania but spoke perfect italian (they study there), and had two friends (an italian couple) that were also visiting valencia. the couple made everyone a great italian pasta dinner and we finished the night with an agua de valencia at a cafe in the town center. its some kind of mixed drink with orange juice, vodka and a couple other things (although, i think it was probably 90% juice). most of the others went to another bar/club but i had to get some sleep for the morning (again spanish morning--10ish) bus for barcelona.

the day in barcelona has been perfect! i met amandine, someone i met in lagos and sevilla, and went to the beach. i swear i have never seen so many naked people in one location. ok, actually the tramatizing icelandic public pool was probably more. the best was catching a glance (i wouldn't even classify it as a "look"...strictly a glance) of a couple playing paddle-ball in the nude. you have to love europe's ability to be naked. as the sun started going down we got some icecream and sat in front of the casa batllo, a house designed by Gaudi. it is unbelievable considering it was made in the early 1900s. its straight out of a dreamy (but sophisticated) cartoon.

my hair is the longest it has ever been in my life and there are 70 something days left. its a lot hotter and i use way more shampoo, but other than that (as long as the shampoo has some kind of conditioner, or else it feels like sandpaper) i could get used to it...maybe.

have a good day
your friend
chad