Just One More Block

October 26, 2022

Today I arrived back at my apartment in Valencia after spending a couple of days in Madrid with a friend who was visiting over the past two weeks. Returning to a place that feels like home after being so busy playing tour guide was a relief. I had a free afternoon to do whatever I wanted.
My friend here in Valencia, who recently moved here full-time from the US, had suggested that I spend as much time as possible walking around the city to get a feel for streets and neighborhoods. Now that I have been to almost every church, museum, park, and cultural monument in the city, I can slow down and stroll around these last few days before continuing north.
I decided to walk down some streets in the local Ruzafa (Russafa) neighborhood. I stopped at a clothing shop and picked up a nightgown for later in the journey when I will meet up with an old friend for a couple of weeks. It was fun to walk into, rather than by, one of those local clothing shops that sells cotton granny panties, bras, pajamas, and bathrobes. The woman asked what size, and I said, “medium?” She asked if it was for me, and I confirmed (in Spanish, of course). She agreed that medium would be fine and showed me five options with short and long sleeves in my size. I picked a long-sleeved cotton one that was a bargain at ten euros.

I then spotted Saint Valero and San Vicente church just behind the Ruzafa Market. I had never ventured beyond the market because every time before, my hands were full of groceries, and I needed to get them home.
It’s a lovely old church, and I sure wish it had been open. I wonder if it is the church whose bells ring at the wrong time all day long.

As I continued toward the apartment, I walked by more shops and restaurants that were local hangouts. I can see why Ruzafa (Russafa) has become a popular place to live. It’s close to downtown, but not too close, and still has that cozy neighborhood feel. Far from perfect and polished, yet welcoming.

As I sit here typing, those familiar bells ring in the distance. It’s 8:23, right on time.