Last weeks

Dear readers,
I have been back in the Netherlands now more than a month. It is very good to see everybody again, nevertheless, it feels weird being home again. I promised to write my last blog so here it is!

Monday 9 January - Thursday 12 January
Because if my exams I had to study all these days. Not much time to do fun stuff. My first exam on Wednesday went well, afterwards, we went to drink some coffee with classmates. In the afternoon I made gluten free apple crumble again because everybody likes it so much. I had to study on Thursday but the weather was so good we decided to go to the beach. Is was 22 degrees Celsius! With almost all roommates and English guys, we went swimming in the ice cold sea.

Friday 13 January – FAMILY!!!!
During the day I had to study because my sister, her boyfriend and my niece would come over for the weekend. I had dinner with the dutchies from Wageningen and went to the airport afterwards. I was very happy to see them again. It was already late so we went out for dinner immediately when we arrived in the city centre. We had tapas at Tinto Fino, SOOOOO GOOD!!! Because my niece is just 12 we went home afterwards.

Saturday 14 January – showing the city
After having breakfast at Paprika we went to Mercat Central. We bought some delicious food and sat outside in the sun to eat it. The best way to show the city is to climb the tower of the cathedral. I already did this a lot of times but because I love my family so much I did it again. It was very windy as you can see on the crazy pictures. Afterwards, we deserved to eat the best ice-cream of Spain. We did some shopping because my niece wanted to have new clothing and a souvenir. We cooked dinner at home and played some games afterwards.

Sunday 15 January – Rusafa and Albufera
After breakfast, we went to the bull fighting museum. It was very interesting but also sad that they still have bullfighting events in Valencia. Afterwards, we walked around in Rusafa and had pie at Dulce de Leche. We decided to go to El Saler, a beautiful beach near Valencia. We had a picnic there and walked to the Albuferalake. Because the last bus went back before sunset we, unfortunately, didn’t see it. For dinner, we had tapas again because that’s THE thing they eat in Spain. We went to a flamenco show in the evening. It was, like last time, very beautiful.

Monday 16 January – beach and saying goodbye
On their last day, I showed the city of arts and science, which is a very typical place in Valencia. We went to the beach because the weather was awesome. Nobody dared to go in the sea because the wind was blowing very hard. We drunk some agua de Valencia, except for my niece of course. for lunch, we went to a typical Spanish place that served a three-course lunch. When we came back in the city centre my family had to get their stuff to go to the airport. Saying goodbye was okay because I knew I would see them again in two weeks.

Tuesday 17 January – Sunday 22 January – studying again…
These days I had to study again because of my last two exams. The days consisted of studying, cooking/eating a lot and sleeping. My exam on Friday went very well to my relief. In the evening we went to a jam session in radio city from the students of Berkley. Because Marieke had two friends over, we switched rooms again. Marieke planned on sleeping on her couch, which is maybe 1.20 m and Marieke is almost 2 m. it was very nice they were there because they made me laugh the whole time which distracted me from getting stressed.


Monday 23 January – last exam and off to Granada
After finishing my last exam Marieke and I went to Granada. We had a blablacar, a very nice driver, however, his driving skills were less nice. The first half I was very nauseous, but after a 30 min break, I felt better. After driving for more than 6 hours we arrived in Granada. We ate some tapas for dinner before we went to our Airbnb. The Airbnb was very close to the city centre which was very nice, as was our host. A woman that stayed in the same apartment went out with us to drink some tea at a Middle Eastern looking tea café. They had about 100 different kinds of tea so choosing took us a long time. At the end, we made the right decisions.

Tuesday 24 January – Granada
We had to wake up on time to go to the Alhambra, a very pretty castle. After breakfast, we walked up the hill, which was very steep. Out of breath, we arrived at the entrance to find out we wouldn’t have had to wake up early because other than in the summer the castle was open the whole day and tickets were not sold out. We walked around in the castle, other beautiful buildings and the garden. We imagined how it would be to live back then in the beautiful castle. In the evening we went to a viewpoint to look at the sunset. Which was very beautiful because of the mountains and the castle. For dinner, we had tapas again, which you get when you order a drink.

Wednesday 25 January – Sevilla
On Wednesday we went with a blablacar to Sevilla. After breakfast, we walked to the place we would be picked up. The car turned out to be a bus in which 8 people could fit. After driving for 3 hours we arrived in Sevilla. We immediately fell in love with the city. It was very nice weather and the streets were very cute. We had a very nice Airbnb close to the city centre. We had lunch and walked around growing to like the city more and more. For dinner, we had tapas again at a very typical Spanish bar.

Thursday 26 January – Sevilla
In the morning we went to ‘Plaza de España’. The most beautiful government building I have ever seen. At first, Marieke and I thought it was the palace of Sevilla but after our break, with churros and cookies, we found out it was not. We went to the real palace, where we met Marous and her boyfriend. The palace was beautiful, with a very nice garden. After walking around for a few hours it was time for our nap. Marieke and I are addicted to napping. On our way to the Airbnb, I found 35 euro’s on the ground, which made us feel a bit awkward but we couldn’t find the owner. At night we had dinner with Marous and her boyfriend at a very delicious tapas place.

Friday 27 January – back to Valencia, celebrating birthdays
We had to wake up very early to catch our train. The train was very luxurious, with nice chairs, televisions, and a bar. The movies they showed, however, were in Spanish so a bit hard to understand. After seven hours we arrived in Valencia. I was very happy because Sanne, my roommate from the Netherlands had arrived in Valencia. She will study the second semester in Valencia, living in my house, which makes me very, very jealous. In the evening we celebrated the birthdays of my roommates, Fares and Aneta. We had a big dinner and went to a party afterwards.

Saturday 28 January – hungover and Indian food
We had to wake up early because the cleaning lady came by surprise. The house was a big mess and we received an angry email from the landlord. I did not feel that great because we were home late. After sleeping a bit more, Sanne and I went walking around in the town saying my goodbyes to all the places. In the evening we had dinner with the English guys at a very good Indian curry restaurant. I had to say goodbye to them not knowing when I will see them again.

Sunday 29 January – Last day 
Writing this almost 1,5 month later still makes me very sad. After packing my last things I went to the beach with Sara, Marieke and a very hungover (maybe even still drunk) Adam. We had a nice lunch and walked on the beach. We talked a lot and made awful pictures of each other. Back in the city centre, I had my last aqua de Valencia before having to leave to the airport. Saying goodbye to everybody made me sad and I had to cry a lot in the metro. I finally calmed down when I arrived at the airport. The flight was quick and it was good to see my Mommies again when they picked me up.

I have been back for almost 1,5 month now, still missing the life and people in Valencia a lot. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to have this experience. I have made a lot of new friendships that are precious to me. I will never forget this special period in my life. I just booked a ticket to Valencia next week, so I will see some of my friends again!!!! Cannot wait!!!

Love you all and till next adventure!
Thanks for reading my blog!