Wow! What a full day! Started off at the Catedral and saw what’s claimed to be the Holy Grail, the chalice from which Christ is said to have sipped during the Last Supper. Then on to La Lonja, a 15th century building that was originally Valencia’s silk and commodity exchange. A 15th century World Trade Center if you will. Highlights were the 1st floor with its coffered ceiling and tile floor (looks 3-D but it’s not). Across the street I visited the Mercado, Valencia’s central market, which has unbelievable fresh produce, fish, meat, you name it, they have it. A quick lunch and rest and then off to Museo de Bellas Artes in the afternoon. Highlights include works by Goya & El Greco to name a few. At 5 pm I joined a walking tour in Spanish and English. I thought the tour was 2 hours but it turned out to be 4! It was fabulous but I was exhausted by the time it ended at 9 pm. We saw several of the “special” Fallas. It turns out the “special” ones are not just a couple of statues they’re an entire scene. Extremely elaborate. In fact the “special” ones cost over $200,000 to build. And the most absurd part.....they’re all burned down the last night of the festival except for the winner. Can you believe they build these Fallas all year long with great expense and time, and then they’re gone in a flash. WOW! Glad I’m NOT going to be here on Monday night at midnight when they set them all on fire. I can only imagine what a scene that will be. Even though tonight is only the 2nd night of the week-long festival this town is HOPPING. Throngs of people are out in the streets. Neon lights are everywhere. Firecrackers are exploding all over the place. At midnight there’s an organized fireworks display. What a day!
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