Sometimes the universe cancels your plans so it can hand you something softer.

Oh Valencia. My sweet, sweet Valencia. It feels crazy to love every single place I go to. Is that normal? 

I absolutely loved Valencia. It’s a very beautiful and charming city. I’m so happy I went in the off -season. I stayed in an area that was quiet, the streets weren’t filled with people and I could just be there. It’s difficult for me to enjoy anything when there are too many people around. I feel like I’m traveling at the perfect time because the weather is incredible, around 70-80 every day but not too hot and not too many people around. I’d definitely recommend anyone wanting to travel to southern France, Spain, or Portugal to come around this time for better prices, perfect weather, and less crowds.

The first day in Valencia, I spent the whole morning and into some of the afternoon working on my blog. I then went to the grocery store to go grocery shopping for the week. Valencia is a very accessible city and there are elderly people being pushed in wheelchairs all over the streets. Of course this worked in my favor. The streets were easy for me to use my scooter on and all the businesses had ramps to get in, elevators, or chair lifts. It catered massively to the limited mobility population. They made it so easy for me that I questioned if I should leave. But alas, it was time to go. I’m on my way to Seville. It’s a city in the very south of Spain.. 

I took a scooter ride downtown to the main shopping and restaurant area. I take back what I said, there were people everywhere. I went into a couple of the different shops and then found some dinner in the area. I was craving pasta which is weird because I never crave pasta. I found a place highly rated. It was SO good. The pasta noodles were made from scratch and were so fresh. I mean, it was incredible. I scooted my way back to the hostel. Do you know I’m still getting around 20k steps a day with my scooter? That’s a lot of scooting. My right leg is noticeably different in size and strength than my left leg despite me working out my left leg to try to keep it strong. But I imagine scooting myself around all day with my right leg is going to naturally just make it so much stronger.

I was sleeping in a 12 bed dorm room this time. It’s been nice because with my leg, I can’t have a top bunk as I can’t climb up there. So I get a bottom bunk every time now and it’s been a treat. Sharing a room with 11 others is not very fun, though. Luckily the beds were very comfortable here so I slept like a rock each night. I got a lot of sleep in Valencia because of the beds despite sharing a room with so many other people.

I woke up the next morning and made breakfast for myself. I always feel bad scooting around the kitchen because I’m slower and feel like I take up more space, but everyone is so kind to me. Everything just takes me a little bit longer than normal trying to navigate my scooter in small spaces with one hand while trying to do anything. I made a healthy and nutrient filled breakfast every single morning when I woke up. It’s always nice to be in hostels that have nice kitchens that are equipped with everything you need. You don’t always get that. 

I set out to go to El Carme neighborhood. It’s a lively and colorful neighborhood full of different architecture. It also leads to other parts of the city that are worth seeing so it’s a wonderful starting place. There are cafes and unique little shops everywhere. In every city I visit, I buy postcards for my family and a fridge magnet to take back home. 

I made it to Plaza del la Virgin and it’s stunning. I cannot believe the detail that goes into the buildings over here. To build each one must’ve taken them forever. I met this girl around the fountain named Samantha. She was 38 with two grown children but seriously looked 23. She says she spends most of her time traveling. We connected immediately and spent some time hanging out. She’s from New York City so we talked about the lifestyle and cultural differences you have a first hand look at while traveling abroad. It was really nice to meet her.

I saw the Arena Torro. They still hold bullfighting events here a couple times a year. I know it’s an ethical issue and most bull fighting arenas have been shut down, but the one in Valencia still operates sometimes. It’s massive and stunning. I was in awe. 

I made a stop over to the Valencia Cathedral. Once again stunning. There was a massive line outside the door and I didn’t want to wait in line to get a ticket so I admired it from the outside and continued until I reached Mercat Central Valencia. It’s this massive indoor food market. One of the largest in Europe. It’s full of food stands from all fresh fruit, fruit juices, jamon, paella, ect. Anything traditional Spanish. You could try anything you dreamed of. I chose authentic Jamon. It’s pork sliced very thin and dried and turned into anything from sandwiches to toppings. It was fantastic- so good. I also got some fresh squeezed orange juice. I’ve been drinking a lot of orange juice recently because I’m convinced it’ll help heal my leg quicker. 

I walked around the area some more and found an authentic horchata stand. I got some fresh made horchata and churros. To die for. I want that right now actually. I kept walking and walking and found a spot to have a drink, read my book, and rest my leg. I can tell when I overdo it sometimes. I then headed back to my hostel for a nap, which I felt was well deserved. As I was cooking dinner in my hostel later that evening, I met a group of friends from Leeds in England. Sarah, Gretcha, Keeran (and I can’t remember the last guy’s name sadly but I barely saw him), Keeran, the girls and I hit it off right away. They were such a good vibe and we spent time hanging out and cooking together. Gretcha and Keeran are actually moving to Valencia together this morning! They got approved for an apartment and are really excited about it. I had a lot of fun hanging out with them. They couldn’t believe I was still traveling with my leg and told me my story was very inspiring to them. Keeren told me to not even try to wash my dishes and that he’d take care of it all for me and clean up. I was so appreciative because it just takes me forever. They were so kind. 

I took a day trip the next morning to a small, local, Spanish village called El Palmar. I was excited because it’s the birthplace and founder of the Spanish dish, paella. I LOVE paella. I ate so much of it in Costa Rica and was looking forward to go where it all started. It was an hour on the bus which was packed but it was worth it. The village is very small but adorable. Think small, a little run down homes that are stacked close to each other linear down the streets. They are canals that flow through the whole village with boats everywhere. The village is surrounded by beautiful rice fields and birds. The locals use the boats to pick the rice from the rice fields and to go fishing. I can’t explain how adorable this village was.

I stopped at a local bakery and ordered a cafe con leche and authentic fresh made fartons which is another staple in Spain. They’re like soft, sweet breadsticks if you can imagine that? The owner was so nice to me, offered to carry everything out to my table and set up an area around the other side so I could elevate my foot.

I had lunch reservations on the Terrace at a place called Bon Aire. They serve wood fired, traditional, authentic paella. Authentic and original paella is made with snails, rabbit, chicken, beans, and rice. I had a small mental hurdle to get over with the snails. You could see the two tentacles on their heads which made me feel a little bad but I did it anyway. They also serve the best sangria I’ve ever had in my life. The paella was expensive, $40, but it was so big that I got 4 different meals out of it with leftovers. The paella was incredible- the best I’ve ever had, which I expected. 

After lunch, I explored the entire city. I had reservations at 1700 for a sunset boat cruise. I was wondering how I was going to get into the boat, but when I got there, two men each lifted me and my scooter on each side and carried us until the boat. In front of everyone else. It was definitely an experience. They were so kind and helpful towards me. We had a really good group. I sat next to this older couple named Paco and Shana who were from Spain. Not a single person in that village or on the boat spoke any English. I spent the entire day speaking Spanish with the locals and I absolutely loved it. The couple was so nice and I spent most of the time talking with Paco. Our guide, Jose was so much fun and had great energy. We stopped in the middle of the water to watch the sunset. It was breathtaking. 

There’s nothing I love more in this life than a sunset over the ocean. It makes me feel so at peace and settled. It’s also when I do a lot of reflection. I’m able to completely drown out the activity and conversations going on around me as if nothing else exists. I just focus on what’s on front of me and what’s going on inside my head. It’s like I got into a meditated trance. 

We made our way back, the men helped me out of the boat, and Paco and Shana kissed me goodbye. At first, I accidently went the same way as Shana and we almost kissed on the lips. I am not good at this. The tour guide, Jose told me he had a shortcut for me to get back to the boat that was easier terrain for my Scooter and I. It’s funny because typically I wouldn’t go alone with men who are strangers, especially in a foreign country, in the dark, and they can’t speak my language. But ever since breaking my ankle, I am a new woman who will do anything and follow anyone anywhere that will make it easier to get around apparently. I trusted Jose, though. He had great energy. I spent a lot of time getting to know him during our walk. He’s from Colombia but living in Spain for four years on a work contract. He works Monday-Friday during the off season and every single day of the way during the high season. I told him he needs to work less and enjoy Spain more since he’s over here. He chuckled and agreed. 

At the bus stop, two French men approached me and introduced themselves. They were giving off the weirdest vibes. They asked me for a tissue and I said I don’t have any. I asked them if they’re sick and they said no, they partied too hard last night. One of them then laughed and ran their finger under their nose. Oh, too much cocaine, nice. They were really creepy and asking me weird, personal questions and trying to figure out where I was staying. They then told me they’d get off on the same stop as me so they could walk me back to my hostel. Not happening, especially in the dark big guys. Do they think I’m dumb just because I’m disabled? Luckily we made it to the stop and almost everyone else got off as well, going my way. I escaped those men with my scooter so fast they didn’t even have time to blink their eyes. 

The next morning I took a bus to explore the Ruzafa neighborhood. It’s colorful with murals and vintage shops everywhere. I explored for hours and did a little vintage shopping, although I didn’t really find anything. I found a cute little cafe to sit outside, enjoy some coffee, and read my book for a couple hours while I people watched. It’s funny because in Spain, most businesses close at 1400 and reopen again at 1700. It’s their Spanish siesta time. So don’t plan on ever going to businesses during this time, you will be wasting your time. 

It was Halloween this day and I was having a little FOMO. I celebrate Halloween every single year back home and my friends and I dress up and go out, so it made me miss home a little bit.

I made it back to my hostel after another day of exploring, and hung out with my hostel mates for a bit. They were trying hard to get me to go out with them for Halloween but I didn’t have a costume, wasn’t mentally prepared, and it’s a hassle trying to go out with a group of people right now with my scooter. I politely declined and woke up feeling refreshed the next morning instead of hungover. 

The next morning, I woke up and went to make breakfast and noticed a few of my food items missing. I assumed that people came home late and drunk from the bars and stole my food to eat it. I met this man from Portugal who introduced himself as Chuno. We talked about life for a very long time, and I mean with deep, intellectual conversations which are my favorite. It was interesting picking his brain to see his life views. He’s very attuned with himself and the world. He told me that my presence makes him feel very at ease and a peace. He told me he could tell I’m a peace with myself and that the energy I give off really surprises him with the way it makes him feel in the best way. He also gave me some advice because I wanted to go to Portugal after Spain, but it doesn’t seem very accessible for me. He said the terrain is rough and there are no elevators anywhere. I want to do Portugal right, so I might save it for another time.  

I walked to a cafe, wrote out some postcards, and then walked to a beautiful park nearby. I worked on making some Tiktoks and laid my blanket out and just read in the sun for a few hours. I needed to just take it easy and relax this day. I’ve been hitting the exploring hard every day and needed to pause and remind myself that I am still healing from an injury.

I came back to my hostel to make some lunch and noticed the rest of my food was missing. I was sad about it because it takes me forever to get to the grocery store with my scooter. I’ve never experienced people in a hostel stealing food. My things were in a bag and labeled so I don’t understand, but whatever.

I woke up early to catch my train to Seville. I got to the station and hour early so I could go to the center for those with reduced mobility and I signed up to have some help getting on the train. The nice men carried all my bags for me and helped me into the train and in my seat and called someone to help me get off the train as well when I got to Seville. I immediately took a nap since I was up early but I just woke up and I’m heading out to explore!

Until next time,

xo,

Kals