Valencia, Spain - end of our last day with Fiona.

 

Revitalized by lunch we headed back into the old city.

Fallas are beginning to appear in the squares

wrapped up and waiting to be assembled.

Roads are blocked off and tents and Churro trucks

are being set up.

Burger King had to get in on it. This was in the city hall square

where another Fallas (it's pronounced "fayas" by the way) was being

erected and

 the palm fronds tied up in preparation for the night it is set on fire.

We had been relying on Rick (and google maps) to navigate but now we are following Fi, who spent the previous evening exploring from her hostel.

Cork and yarn, effective.

I had read on Facebook that the Governors Palace was open during the Fallas celebration and when we walked by the door was open and we were invited in.

We were handed this handkerchief, as a gift.

A pañuelo fallero is a traditional, often checkered, scarf worn by men (and sometimes women) during Valencia's Fallas festival. Primarily used as a head covering for hygiene and protection against dust or sun, it is wrapped around the head or neck, forming a crucial part of the fallero costume. from AI summary.

The governor doesn't actually live here anymore. But he does work in the building.

 

The rooms we saw

were for meetings.

events

and ceremonies.

The gardens were also open

They border the Plaza of the Virgin

where she was waiting 

to be assembled for the festivities.

It wasn't time to catch the bus yet so

there was time for a drink. Nic and Fi tried the Agua de Valencia. Fiona described it as "If a Mimosa and a Screwdriver had a baby"

Agua de Valencia is a popular Spanish cocktail made by mixing fresh orange juice, sparkling wine (Cava), gin, and vodka, often sweetened with sugar. Typically served in a pitcher with ice and orange slices, it is a refreshing yet potent beverage. from AI summary.

Oh it was potent, there was much laughing.

 

Fi had one more night in Valencia (a pub crawl organized through the hostel was planned) and then off to Seville.

She sent these photos from Seville....

And finally...Rasta is very happy that Rick is back.