One of my favorite things about living in Spain.... is the fresh fruits and vegetables! As I'm sure you all know, I love cooking... but cooking gets so much better when your food is real and fresh and delicious!
Now when it comes to food shopping (which is one of my top favorite activities of all time), yes I do my shopping at my local supermercado (when I say local, I mean i live above a Consum, one of Valencias most popular supermarkets) But things I buy at consum on the regular:
-Yogurt (unless i buy it from the whole foods store!)
-Nuts
-Cocktail Olives
-Soy milk
-Juice
-Coffee
-Sugar
-Spices
-Other random ingredients for whatever I may be whipping up in the kitchen that day
Things I never buy at Consum:
-Frutas (fruit)
-Verduras (vegetables)
I prefer to buy these saludables deliciosos at my local Fruitaria: VIRK!(Fruitaria= place to buy fruits and veggies) Now it may not be the biggest fruitaria with the most selection, but the employees are so nice and their produce is decently priced and its right across from the metro stop and around the corner!
Sometimes its cheaper to shop outside! Tomatoes, apples, kiwi, pineapple, artichokes, and peppers!
this is my favorite fruit man! He may try to trick me and overcharge me every time Im there, but thankfully he never follows through!
Must use gloves when choosing produce!
Some argue that its more expensive to shop at these little places, but I beg to differ. Plus, I like to support the little guy sometimes! And I like that I can see the produce being unloaded in the mornings sometimes, fresh off the truck, freshly picked still in the crate! Straight from la Huerta (garden/orchard- an area of Valencia we are blessed to be near so we get the freshest produce!)
My staples this year include:
-Canary Bananas
-Fuji/Granny smith apples
-Lettuce
-Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes
-onions
-Pears
-Dried figs
-eggplant
-zucchini
-seasonal fruit
Seasonal fruit! Lets talk about seasonal fruit!
Please take note of today's date. Now, for about one and a half months already, strawberries have been in season. Late February they were at their height! At home on Long Island, strawberries are almost non existent (without paying an arm and a leg) until late June! (I remember this because the strawberry festival dates are permanently engraved in my brain... must... eat... strawberry shortcake!)
But I have been craving peaches like no other! Peach season please hurry!!!!
Signs of spring: Strawberries and Nectarines! To the right: the overabundant Valencian orange and the Canary platanos on the left
Now I am also a new fan/addict of Taste Spotting. Now when I look up recent recipes, some things pop up that are seasonal in America, or rather existent that I can not find! Things like blueberries, celery, cranberries, corn, radishes, brussels sprouts, and seedless sweet grapes!
Fresh mushrooms are hard to come by as well. Because the mushrooms come up from the ground after the rain, and it barely rains in Valencia. But the day after a few showers, the fruitarias are filled with fresh mushrooms (champinoñes and setas) and theyre still caked in dirt! just the way I like it!
dirt= freshly picked The fresher the better!
And the prices! I can go into this place and buy enough fruits and veggies to last me almost a week, and pay a little over 3 euros. A head of romaine lettuce (huge!) costs me 50 centimes (70 cents) and lasts me days and days!
Recently I bought (with plans of making a gazpacho from cooking class):
-4 tomatoes
-white onion
-2 pears
-2 bananas
-Romaine lettuce
-5 Mushrooms
Grand total: 3.01 euros (4.25 usd)
I have bought much more, including the ever expensive avocados, for a weeks worth of salads and fruits for about 5 euros.
And the taste? PLEASE!!!! I don't think I can ever buy supermarket fruits and vegetables from the US for as long as I shall live after being spoiled by the fresh juiciness and real flavor of the Mediterranean produce
I think I'm determined to stay in Spain just so I can eat la huerta's freshest produce daily!
Another weekend has FLOWN by entirely too fast. It feels a little like this picture looks. Everything whizzing by- experiences, people, places, food, friends... and I'm just stuck in a moment, in awe at the life I have and the opportunities I get to take full advantage of- what a life I get to live. =)
stuck in the moment in Bologna
Adaliss and I packed our maletas up to visit our dearest friend Francesco in his hometown of Bologna, Italy. I have not been to Italy since the Summer of 09 when Jamie and I miraculously backpacked around a little from Paris to Cinque Terre to Rome and back again.... how did we make it out alive withouth planning much more than plane tickets and hostels?
Anyway, Bologna was fantastic, especially because we were welcomed with warm open arms into the Serafino's home and served endless fruit and homemade Italian cuisine! Mr. Marcello Serafino- you are a great cook!
We were also blessed with the presence of the famous Chiara, the love of Francesco's life. She is truly an angel!
Francesco gave us some history lessons on his city and we did a lot of relaxing and just taking in and enjoying the Italian atmosphere, and learning LOTS of Italian (new passion/mission? I think so!)
Saturday night we went to a concert, a very different concert. The groups name was Caparezza. It is a man with capelli pazzi (crazy hair) and his bandmates who rap/rock out to their lyrics about Italian life and politics. Although I didn't understand what he was saying, it was a very animated and interesting show and I really did have fun!
We also got to see some of our beloved Bologna boys! Francesco is so sneaky and one night they just "showed up" after the concert. We danced the night away with them.
Why is it so fun dancing with Italians?
Dear Spanairds, please dance like Italians. Love, Chelsea
New bolognase friends
Bologna boys! Reunited finally!
If you want a gelato machine, the man on the left can sell you one that will never break!
Matteo certainly is a Gem!
But then after a nice relaxing stroll through Bologna and a brief encounter with Francesco's nonno and nonna, it was time to go back to Valencia. We said our sad goodbyes, and its possible we may have cried in the middle of the airport.
Saying goodbye to such great friends is so much harder when you don't have a fixed date to see them again...
But then again, I am currently fixated on planning a summer roaming Italy- whose with me?
P.S... Bologna really does smell like Pizza, and its fantastic
As I have mentioned before (and maybe not so positively) I am assisting in physical education at my school. But really, I don't give it enough credit! It's not so bad, mainly when the sun is shining and there's no wind or bugs!
The kids learn some English words in physical education like jump, run, stand, catch, serve, throw etc, and I even learn new things too! Like new sports! (Yes, the Spaniard kids do play something other than soccer!)
One sport is called Colpbol. A physical education teacher who wanted girls and boys to be able to play together with equal abilities invented Colpbol here in Valencia the beautiful.
The ball: A ball somewhat like a kickball in that it is great at bouncing, but it is smaller with less grip.
The game is essentially like handball and soccer mixed, except there is no kicking: you play entirely with your hands! You start with a tip off, and after you hit the ball once, you cannot hit it again until someone else does. Also, if the ball is on the ground, you cannot pick it up! You must hit it in a way to scoop it up and get it in the air again or roll it to a teammate. You also cannot use two hands to pass the ball; almost as if your hand is a paddle.
The name of the game is to score goals! Each goal is 1 point, but who's counting? No one seems to mind weather they win or loose! (at least from what I can understand reading only body language)
The game is fun to watch, and I’m sure its fun to play. It is fast moving and its true, girls and boys can play together equally! (more or less)
Here at CEIP San Juan de Ribera, we have attended two tournaments! And although it is usually really cold and rainy on these days (and that really isn’t my thing) I really enjoy going and cheering on my kids! (I normally gets students/parents from other schools looking at me like I’m crazy- yeah, everyone stare at the crazy girl speaking English!)
The past week has definitely been an educational learning experience. I've interviewed many people this week, and I've learned so much about the city of Valencia and their cultural traditions and from that I feel as if I've grown closer to the city and feel a better sense of belonging.
So since I'm a lifelong learner and a teacher, I will now share with you what I've learned about Valencia and the fiesta of las Fallas.
So as I shared before, las Fallas falls on March 19th. It represents numerous things:
1)The welcoming of Spring!
2)the dia de San Josep (Saint Joseph)
3) FATHER'S DAY (since Joseph was jesus' father)
Joseph was a carpenter and to honor him, other carpenters would burn their old furniture that didn't sell or that they just didn't have much luck with. Soon it evolved that people began to join in and to build monuments and burn them. The burning signifies getting rid of the bad and forgetting about it (like a burn box when you break up with a boyfriend)
Now it evolved to build things like the following:
But before you see, it is important to know that most fallas are what they call "criticas"... they are usually criticizing something. The explanations and criticisms are usually in the Valencian language, so it is helpful to have someone explain them to you.
But not all fallas are ctiticas. The ones that are not, are not burned (because they represent nothing bad- if they represent good, why burn them?)
There are also infantil fallas. They are mini fallas that represent the infant class (children under the age of 12 or so) These usually have themes of disney or something fun and happy.
Theme: Made in Spain. Sangria, flamenco, bull fights, the MOP, horchata, fallas, long weekends and much more
1st place falla. Theme: Battle of Man vs. Nature
Theme: War is Over
More war is over: Franco and Hitler on their way to hell
John Lennon, of course
Criticizing American patents in Europe.
Theme of the the impact technology has on humanity
The city's falla, one of the biggest and for all to watch burn
Now because many of them are criticizing something, there is a good chance they may appear to be "offensive"... and could include things like lots of big breasted woman (with their breasts showing), men with erections, prostitutes, etc. But these are things the burn to say "hey, put an end to this!"
There is also a competition. Each falla is placed into a division which depends on their budget. Then they are judged based on theme, message, and of course appearance and size. The award is pride and bragging rights, and a banner to march around town.
Next lesson: Falleras
So anyone who belongs to a Falla and pays dues, can be a fallera. Many young children are involved in this, especially girls because they get to dress up in princess dresses. These dresses can cost more than your fancy wedding dress. Hundreds and thousands of euros. Just for a young girl to grow out of it and need a new one next year! She also gets beautiful jewelry, hair pieces, and matching shoes you cant see because the dress covers them!
The boys wear nice vests, cumber buns, and old fashioned pants socks and shoes.
Out of all the girls, a fallera mayor is chosen (one in the older group, and one infantil) and from the boys, a "president" from each class as well. (not sure how this is done, perhaps by luck, perhaps who pays the most?)
Laura's hair. It is not real but they still go to the hairdressers every day to get this put in
lots of Falleras, young and old
Laura and Mauro, lookin guapo
Blanca (4) and Laura (8)... my favorite falleras!
During the week of Fallas (beginning usually around the 15th), there are activities galore!
There are numerous processions. (They also occur at 8am, with a band... just to say good morning, Valencia!)
But each falla has a procession around the few blocks of their club house. They all get dressed up, collect their banners, and march around with a hired band playing traditional Valencian music.
Borja holding the names of all past Fallera Mayores
Banners of awards-2nd place this year!
Carlos, que fuerte!
Afterwords, many fallas dine together outside on delicious Valencian food such as arroz al horno or paella, which I was lucky enough to be invited to!
A typical activity is to have a cook off.... paella cook off! Each falla splits into teams and each team buys all the necessary supplies, including appetizers, and they all cook paella over a campfire! (the preferred way to eat paella, arguably the best way!)
Enough to feed maybe 8-10 people
Building the fire- Boy scout style
This fallas competition consisted of about 15-20 competitors
Add caldo
finished product
Me and the fathers I tutor for! Francisco on the right made us a 2nd place paella!
Me and the Moms. We didn't cook, just enjoyed mojitos
So our paella (number 21) won 2nd prize! The paella was finally done at 1130 and the winners announced at around midnight. When our paella was announced 2nd prize, Francisco pulled me up on stage with him to collect the prize (a serving plate, an apron, and of course bragging rights)
La Ofrenda: In plaza de la Virgen, a wooden structure is built that looks something like this:
It is the Virgin Mary. And throughout the week, falleros, falleras, make a pilgrimage to the plaza to leave an offering to the Virgin- a bouquet of flowers.
This started hundreds of years ago, when one woman dressed as a fallera made the pilgramage alone carrying her bouquet. Another fallera saw and asked what she was doing. The fallera liked the idea and joined her. Now, all in a falla make the pilgramage together to offer their flowers to the virgin. This becomes very emotional for some, and some cry when leaving their offering.
Every year now, the virgin will look different. There is a master plan which i assume looks something like "paint by numbers" The falleras bring the flowers accompanied by a band, and the flowers are passed up and placed into the correct position.
before
during.. kids are pushed in strollers and fed snacks during the pilgrimage
finished prduct
the back, gorgeous
Continuamos...
Valencia LOVES fuegos artificiales. And I mean LOVES. I was told by the granmother of the girls i tutor, that "despues de los chinos, Valencia tiene los mejores fuegos artificiales del mundo!" (after the Chinese, valencia has the best fireworks in the world!)
When I heard this, i thought, ha, they aint got nuttin on Grucci. But... they do. They were the best fireworks I've ever seen in my life!
Regular firework shoes were given beginning March 15th, and continued nightly until the 19th. The shows lasted about 20 minutes. The night of the 18th was known as "la nit de foc" or night of fire! Crowds of thousands of people gathered along the old riverbed to watch the spectacular show
Other things Valencia:
Pañuelos (the things we're all wearing around our neck) and Blusons are typical to wear during Fallas.
Buñuelos are made and eaten. There are thousands of stands around Valencia to buy these fried doughy goodness along with ones with baked pumpkin, churros, and hot chocolate.
But the best ones are homemade. We were invited to our friend Ruben's house to make them with his abuelita (grandma) and his family.
The process was difficult and takes lots of practice! The secret is to have one hand in this water mixture, then with the other squeeze out the dough, through the top of your fist, collect the dough with all five wet fingers, then with your middle finger and thumb, make a little hole then drop it into the hot oil!
Making these are in art that takes skill!
Enjoying our bunelos (although many of ours looked like chicken wings!)
Now in case you missed the fact that Valencia loves fire and fireworks, let me reiterate that VALENCIA LOVES FIREWORKS AND NOISE!!!
It is completely normal to see 3 or 4 year olds walking around with a burning rope, and lighting off little fireworks called "petardos". Some are bigger and louder than others, some travel and most scare the crap out of people.
Now petardos are only legal to light between March 1st and March 19th. Then thats it. So people buy them in bulk, and light them off morning, noon, and night. You can't catch a break and you have to watch where you step and try to sit indoors at cafe's to avoid getting your ear drum blown out or almost getting hit with these fireworks.
People also like to try and get fancy. They light them inside of oranges, dog crap, off of buildings, out of their own hands, in puddles, off bridges, you name it- its done.
This got annoying, fast. But if you can't beat em... join em! Here is a video of Addie and I lighting Petardos- and it takes some getting used to! But if 3 year olds can do it... so can 22 year olds!
Now to the most anticipated event during this fiesta! As I said, fallas is kind of about out with the old, in with the new. And Valencia likes fires and noise (check out my old fallas post pertaining to the mascletá)
So the big daddy of the celebration is March 19th, la CREMA. The night they burn a years worth of hard work!
I chose to go back to "my falla" (war is over) to watch that one burn. The burnings of infantil occur at 10 pm, then the big fallas at midnight. They line the falla with those really loud petardos, set off fireworks, and then before you know it, the Valencia is on FALLA and up in flames. Stand back! it gets hot! The fallas are ablaze, the crowd is cheering, and bombers (firefighters) are standing by with hoses controlling the fire to prevent it from spreading to the buildings.
But before it burns to the ground, the fallera mayores and presidents get to choose a piece of the falla to keep as a prize for their achievement and to remember their falla.
Here is the crema I watched: (ps i may have shed a tear before it burnt to the ground- I felt so connected to "my first falla"!!!
Then at 1am, everyone flocks to the mail plaza of ayutanamiento. Here there are more fireworks (are you surprised) and more petardos, and another mini mascletá. Then, the main falla in the center goes up in flames and the crowd loves it. It is basically a sensory overload with lots of noise, lots of lights, lots of fire, and lots of heat.
Now although I really enjoyed las Fallas, it sure took some getting used to with the noise and the influx of tourists! But in the end, I sure am glad its over so that I can walk the streets normally without crowds and not have to listen to petardos 24 hours a day!
