Day #15, Valencia

Southern Spain is hot and wonderful.  As I write this it is 8am and already 70 degrees.   I have made a pot of coffee and lookout onto the Patio and there are three female cats, 2 of which are pregnant.  They are crying softly and I can not hear them through the window.

Yesterday we went to the pool and I almost finished the girl who played with fire by Stieg.   The kids played non stop in the pool.  Truly a place that it is not necessary to bring a towel.  You are dry in about 5 minutes.  10 minutes you are ready to get back into the pool.

Maggie wanted to swim in the big pool which makes me nervous.   But we have been doing this for 3 days.  She went out into the middle with the swim board but then became separated from the swim board and started to panic.  The Socorrista (lifeguard) and I ran around and Max jumped in.  She actually made it to the side on her own but was very frightened for 15 minutes.

Despite our best attempts our kids will get themselves into trouble and in a way I am thankful for this experience.   Maggie is constantly pushing our safety comfort zone and we will not always be able to rescue her and she needs to get some healthy respect for things like water.   It would be nice if she listens to her parents from time to time but that will come in about 30 years.

The Israel kids are speaking excellent Spanish (after one year) and we are starting to look to the 9 year old and 12 year  old for translation and when the waiter does not understand our Spanish, we look to the kids to annunciate the inflection better.    They are excited about learning french and next year Lauren starts French at the American School.     Pretty impressive.  She was already practicing french in the car.

Our kids are naturally picking up the language as well.  Lawton still remembers  Salida which means exit.   Go figure.

Maggie loves running up to the intercom at the guard gate and says, "Abre porfavor"  or open please.    Amy is good as well and yesterday was translating the radio (which is too fast and in Valenciano) and was describing the upcoming presidential elections.

But my favorite part is when we walk by people talking.  I love to 'translate' as I IMAGINE the conversation is going.  Yesterday, a couple were yelling at each other and it was carrying into the street.  Here is my imaginary translation (by the way I could not understand what they were saying).  Ya know, 90% of communication is non verbal anyway and I could not see the woman.....

God damn it Maria, you are spending too much money.


Go to hell, Pedro, spend a little more time with the family and a little less time at the bars with that woman from Barcelona.  


That woman from Barcelona is my accountant and we are talking business, trying to make money so you can shop and spend it in Madrid.


Hard to imagine that you are getting any business done at 2 am in the morning and watching the replay of the world cup.


I am avoiding your mother....  When is she going home back to Seville?

Yesterday, Beth and I played a fabulous game of tennis.  I have given up on 'brusssshhhhinnnnggg" the ball as my tennis pro says and have resulted to the  the KARATE CHOP with a continental grip.  Deadly back spin and side spin that spins away or toward the player.  Much better control.  

10 years of pickleball will never be undone and my game my tennis game will pay the price.

 It was windy and warm and we had the mountains as a back drop.  So much fun.  My serve has no puch but I only double falted twice.   I play a finesse game and pride myself on chasing down every last ball.  I am very sore this morning.

We then went to Valencia to check the 'City of arts and sciences'.   These are massive futuristic sculptures that are gorgeous and are putting Valencia on the map.   The are located in the old riverbed which has been diverted (hey it ran dry anyway because they suck all the water out of it).  




Today, we hope to go to the beach and maybe barbecue tonight.  Mercado central and maybe a mountain bike ride today.