O Valencia!

voltee ♦ December 11, 2010 ♦ 3 Comments

Item: Tank top Color/Fabric: Blue/white, cotton/polyester Designer: Eloise Where Purchased: Anthroplogie Years Owned: 0.5

Tomorrow my first batch of Ebay auctions end, and I’m not sure that this experiment was a success. Certainly I was not attempting it for money; I just was hopeful that a few fun readers who didn’t know me might pop in and give some unbiased opinions on my clothes. I think I’ll try a few more times, and then re-evaluate if Ebay is worth the trouble.
Even though I have owned this funny little thing for a very short time, I have already worn it two times, which should be a good omen for it. The first was for a production of Death Of A Salesman, which was sort of a miracle. And the second, in Spain.
When we were in Spain, we spent a week on the Mediterranean coast in a little town called Calpe. I chose it because it looked like it was in a prime location for lots of exploring in the area. Nate failed to tell me, though, that he didn’t really want to drive anywhere. So mostly we just relaxed around the resort. And that in itself was wonderful.
On our very last day, though, I became restless. I could not believe that we were going to be so close to so many wondrous places and not get to see them.
Therefore, we headed to Valencia.
Nate had really wanted to see the Aquarium there, as it’s World famous, but we left to late to really make it worthwhile. Instead, we wandered around the starkly modern Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The architecture was remarkable, built to resemble an underwater seascape complete with waves and corals and giant molluscs.
Then we headed into the ancient, noble city of Valencia, with orange trees everywhere, blue tiles on the domes of buildings, and beautiful, shining marbled sidewalks. Of main interest to me here was the Holy Grail. Yes, Valencia lays claim to the genuine Holy Grail, and I was dying with curiosity to see it. It lies in the beautiful and eclectic Cathedral.
We were forced to purchase an audio tour, and the highlights were pointed out by the attendees.
“Of special interest are our two Goyas in number 16, and the Holy Grail in number 19.”
So nonchalant.
Then, a question.
The woman looked at me politely, and asked, “Is this considered warm where you’re from?”
This because I was wearing this tank top and had forgotten my jacket in the car. It was not even 60 outside.
“Oh, no.” I answered. “I forgot my jacket.” They nodded, even though I’m not sure they understood. They just kept staring at me as if I was crazy and smiling.
The Cathedral was one of the most interesting we’ve visited. It had a mixture of arctectual styles, and the severed arm of a Saint.
And, of course, the Holy Grail.
The Chapel that houses it is awe-inspiring on its own. The cup has been there for the last five hundred years, and the history is almost palpable. The Grail itself looks rather…fresh. They claim that the cup part, made of agate, is the Holy Grail, and the ornamental handles and elaborate base were added on throughout the years.
Whatever its true history, it was a beautiful and mysterious artifact.
Our last stop was to the Bell Tower of the Cathedral. On our way out, the women at the desk stopped us again for one more question, this time for Nate.
“Are you… Chris O’Donnell?” she asked shyly.
“Um, no,” Nate answered, laughing. I don’t think they believed this answer, either.
We’ve visited many, many towers in our European travels, and I’ve developed this habit of counting the steps. The Tower in Valencia had 300, rising up in a very tight spiral.
Tower climbing is not for the faint of heart or the out of shape.
But the view from the top- unbelieveable.
Here I am:
You can see here the Spanish trend we found in every city; graffiti. It seems so much more prolific than in any country we’ve gone to. We even saw names carved into innocent cacti. It’s sad.
Anyway, we did not stay long in Valencia. One very good reason why is that people stared at me and my scandalous bare arms everywhere, people dressed in parkas, scarves and mittens, and full on winter gear. While I thought that they were extreme for temperatures in the mid to high 50’s, I was greatly outnumbered. I don’t think I’ve ever attracted so much attention at any other time. Nate found it hilarious. I held my chin up and attempted to make it work.
But goosebumps are just never stylish.
Someday, we will return to Valencia and spend much more time there. It deserves more than a few hours.
And I still like this top, in more appropriate weather.

**I’ve worn this even more times! I must like it a lot. It’s staying.