I lived in Asheville, North Carolina until June, 2021–when we moved to Valencia, Spain. In the last five weeks, both have experienced natural disasters on a monumental scale. On Friday, September 27, after multiple days of rain, Western North Carolina was hit by Hurricane Helene, causing flooding on a scale never seen before. On Tuesday,…
Category: Valencia
Getting In Cars With Strangers
“Is this safe?” someone asked on one of my international Facebook groups. They must be American, I said to myself with a sigh. I’ve had more than a few international friends tell me it’s usually us Americans who ask questions about safety. Whether it’s walking the Camino de Santiago, traveling on budget airlines, or car…
The Best Laid Plans
In December, 2022, I printed out a monthly calendar for 2023 and started filling it in. January: My sister Meg was coming to visit. March: My parents. May: Michael and I were going to New York for a wedding and California to visit family. July: Dad was coming out to walk another section of the…
The European Union Vs. Valencia
“The EU tried to put an end to the Fallas festival,” my friend Christopher told us. “They thought it was too dangerous.” We all laughed. “Dangerous” is not a strong enough word. I can just imagine a Spaniard in front of the EU trying to explain this festival. The Spaniard would start innocently enough by…
Learning Spanish: The Masked Man
My youngest sister Meg had come to visit me in Valencia, Spain. I had not yet climbed the Micalet–a tower near the cathedral–so we decided to do it. We went into the church and a sign told us to wait until we were called forth. Nearby, in a small alcove, we could see a masked…
A Day in the Olive Grove (Part 1)
You would think it wouldn’t be too hard to find an olive oil tasting experience in Tuscany. You’d be wrong. Back in September, Michael and I tried but the tourism office said wineries grow olives as a side business, so we’d have to go for a wine and olive oil experience. Which, let’s be honest,…
If You Could Live Anywhere, Where Would You Live?
“It’s be nice to live in a smaller town,” I said to my husband Michael. “One that has its own life–doesn’t close down in the winter. And it would be great if the city center streets were closed to traffic. And it was close to a big city if we needed it.” “In your travels…
Breaking Up with Valencia
After a break up with a boyfriend, I would do my best to focus only on the things that didn’t work between us. Because if I remembered all the good times, all the things that were so perfect about our relationship, I might never recover. And so it is with my relationship with Valencia. When…
How To Recognize an American in Valencia
Usually it’s just the look. As evidenced by the woman who literally walked up to Michael as he was sitting with me drinking coffee, pointed to him, and said “Americano?” He was stunned and asked how she knew. “You just look like an American.” Which I used to think funny as Americans have quite a…
A Day Trip
Not to brag. . . but yes, I’m going to brag: Michael and I and a friend are considering taking a road trip to Barcelona on Sunday. How amazing is it that I can even say that? A day trip! To a major European destination! It would be a long day trip. It’s a three…
