Valenthia (thats how they pronounce it here)...

Last night, we found a really nice wine bar that also served mini "sandwiches" and tapas to eat. You paid a set amount per tapas so we were able to choose whichever ones we thought would taste nice. We ate some that we knew would be good, and decided to try a few that we had no idea what they were. Stephen was rewarded with a good one...me, not so much :)
Our hostel is much nicer than the one in Barcelona, but we are also staying in a room with 12 beds, so as a result, we have to deal with noise at all hours of the night. A couple people came in late, but what really kept me up was someone´s snoring. This was no ordinary snoring, but rather it sounded like a hog in full snort...every time! I thought they must be hurting themselves, it was such a forceful sound! Fortunately, they eventually quieted down and I was able to fall asleep.

This morning, I decided to forgo the complementary breakfast of cereal and toast (the same at every place) and expanded my boundaries to the city of Valencia. Our hostel is a couple minutes walk from a Plaza with several places to eat and there was one particular place that had caught my eye as we walked in yesterday. Stephen was still sleeping, so I told him where I´d be then set off. It was nice to be on my own for a change, and I enjoyed watching the city start their day. Valencia is a smaller town (but still full of history) without the mass of tourists. This results in a more authentic atmosphere and a calmer setting. My relaxing breakfast consisted of tea, and a Spanish breakfast, which turned out to be two sandwiches: one was ham and cheese, the other a Spanish omelet (egg and potato). After eating, observing my surroundings, and reading my Kindle, I returned to the hostel to collect my brother. :)
Stephen had just finished showering and was ready to go so we set off to grab some Starbucks. We spent the next couple hours exploring the city, climbing a guard tower, walking through a park, and finally sitting on a bench in the shade to talk. At one point, we found a huge, grassy field with goal posts on either side. The map also showed a football (the American kind) so Stephen started to get really excited! Then I pointed out a sign that said Rugby and his excitement slipped away. Close, but not quite.
At 1:00 a free walking tour was scheduled to start. On the way, we stopped by a restaurant (one of the only food stores open during this siesta time) and quickly ate lunch. I don´t think the server had ever seen people come, eat, and leave so quickly. We then rushed to the meeting place and since we are in Spain, we arrived just in time.
The next couple of hours took us around Valencia, learning about its history (did you know it was once the capital?) and admiring its old architecture. Once we had finished, Stephen and I drank some of the best Horchata around and some fresh squeezed orange juice (so yummy!), then walked about half an hour through the park to the end which holds a set of futuristic looking buildings. It really did look like a scene from star wars with huge white buildings floating over large pools of crystal blue water. Hot, tired, and hungry, we ate dinner at a restaurant close by, then took a bus back to the hostel. We had a couple hours till our next activity so Stephen read while I took a nap.

Our next activity, took us to several places. We first met in the Plaza right next to our hostel. At first we didn´t know where to meet, but we soon spotted a few people from the tour earlier today. We joined the group and figured that we looked enough like tourists to be noticed by anyone looking for us. A group of 9 soon formed and eventually our tour guide appeared. The first three places produced a drink and Tapas and we all sat around, chatting, getting to know each other, and making jokes. Our last stop was the highlight of my night because it was a Flamanco Show! I´ve only seen Flamanco dancers in Riverdance and was so excited to see one up close! It really was up close too! The bar was packed with people, but I managed to find a spot on the floor at the very front just beyond the foot of the stage. At first a guitarist, two singers, and two random backup singers/clappers came out with a lady in a Flamanco dress standing at the side. For two or three songs, the guitarist played while the others clapped and the two men sang. But no dancing. I was starting to worry that this Flamanco "show" was just Flamanco music without the actual dancing! However, I was relieved when the lady started to step out and began her dance with the fastest steps I have ever seen! Really, I didn´t know someone could move their feet that fast and move around with such passion and command. Her every movement was executed with strength and precision, moving to the beat of the music. An hour and a half of music and dancing left us with our first Flamanco experience and one that I thoroughly enjoyed!
In our small group of 9, there was another pair of brother/sister traveling buddies. The brother wanted to keep enjoying the night, so we offered to walk the sister home, and another girl happened to be at our dorm so she walked with us as well.

Today, I briefly looked at some of the Resolved photos and was sad I couldn´t be there but excited to come home and listen to the sessions! I love traveling, meeting new people, getting to know Stephen even better, and meeting up with friends, but what I miss about home is my friends and family there, bed, consistency of a normal life, and Gcom. It´s interesting how change helps us to realize what we really appreciate and the blessings we so often take for granted.
I am loving this trip and will cherish this time with my bro, but I´m also thankful for a nice home to return to. Love and Miss you all!