Let me take you on a tour of L'Eliana, the Spanish town where I live. It's a 20-minute train ride north and west of Valencia. When I moved here, I chose to live without a car and I use the train and bus systems, which are excellent. It's easy and inexpensive to get around.
The trains are punctual—so you'd better be too! They stop at each of the small towns for half a minute. That's 30 seconds for passengers to get off and others to board.
I enjoy riding on the trains. They are clean, air conditioned, and safe. I listen intently to the announcement about which stop is next to learn how the names are pronounced. Like Benaguasil, Les Carolines-Fira, and the one that drives me crazy, Ángel Guimerá. Because it doesn't sound anything like it's spelled.
I hop off at the train station in L'Eliana, which is a 12-minute walk from my apartment. Except when I miss the stop because I'm on Facebook and I end up at the next town. Like last Friday night.
Let me walk with you up the street from the train station. Our first stop is the Mercadona (supermarket) which is one of three modern grocery stores in L'Eliana. Lots of seafood is eaten in Spain, including shellfish, squid, octopus, eel, and fish. The big one is a Lubina (sea bass) that weighed in at over 13 lbs.
We'll stop at a small fruit and vegetable store tucked in along main street. They have lovely produce which is amazingly affordable. But you need to get there before it closes at 2. Traditional customs live on—almost every store closes at 2 p.m. daily for the mid-day meal/siesta and reopens about 5.
If we're up bright an early, we can shop at the Wednesday market. On offer are clothing, shoes, textiles, house plants, handbags. And if we're lucky, the Olive Guy will be there. You have no idea how delicious the olives are in Spain!
L'Eliana has beautiful parks. This one's glass mosaic sculptures remind me of Gaudi's Parc Guell in Barcelona.
The park is a favorite place for little kids to play during the day. Teenagers and families gather here in the evening.
L'Eliana's streets are lined with buildings that contrast ornate, time-honored architecture with newer, minimalist structures.
L'Eliana's streets are lined with buildings that contrast ornate, time-honored architecture with newer, minimalist structures.
Beautiful architectural detail: Tile house number.
Traditional stone, wood and iron entryway.
Ironwork on door.
We'll pass traditional homes as we walk toward the modern Centre de Formación Persones Adultes (Adult Training Center) where I take Spanish lessons. L'Eliana also has a public swimming pool and an outdoor theater. The theater reminds me of drive-in movie theaters in the U.S., only with chairs instead of cars.
We can stroll down side streets and enjoy the feeling of being in a true Spanish town where stucco walls are painted in bright colors.
Then there's the matter of cats. Lots of cats. I thought this one might be dead until he lifted his scruffy head and looked at me. And went back to sleep.
Courtyards provide privacy, security, air, light, and tranquility. Most homes have courtyards that are encircled by stucco-covered walls. If this wall could talk, it would tell us fascinating stories about the history of L'Eliana.
I'm in love with the feeling of courtyards. There's something secretive about them. I slipped my camera lens between bars of an iron gate to snap this photo.
We'll wind our way toward the town square. The handsome Ajuntament (City Hall) faces the square and the church. In summer, kids stay cool by running (and screaming) through the fountains. Apparently the screaming helps. I don't know how.
The beautiful Parróquia Verge del Carme (Catholic church) sits opposite the City Hall. I love listening to its bells ring out the time of day. That's such a wonderful tradition!
Right next to the church is a plaza with palm trees and the Taller Artesano (artisan workshop). The painting on the wall is maravilloso (marvellous)! Why haven't I stopped in there yet?
Although L'Eliana is steeped in tradition, there are many modern stores and trendy services available. If you'd like to go home with some fresh ink, there's a tattoo shop just two blocks from my apartment. You can have your hair and nails done, buy fashionable clothes, get photocopies made, and shop for fancy electronic gadgets.
Spain's blending of old and new is fascinating to me. I loved being immersed in the stunning historic architecture and rich cultural traditions, and yet I have WiFi! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you for joining me on this brief tour of my little town.
Spain's blending of old and new is fascinating to me. I loved being immersed in the stunning historic architecture and rich cultural traditions, and yet I have WiFi! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you for joining me on this brief tour of my little town.
