Headed to a course in L'Albir, I took the overnight flight from Edmonton to Amsterdam. I'd paid for the exit row seat so I had a bit of walking space, but it backfired on this trip. No fewer than three people puked in the washroom right in front of me, and the amount of screaming kids near me was quite remarkable. I'm quite sympathetic to parents traveling with young children and babies, but when no effort is made to pick them up or comfort them, my compassion reduces substantially. 

I was quite happy to have booked the KLM lounge in Amsterdam and had breakfast, a shower and shave, and lunch before departing for the much shorter flight to Valencia. 

Upon arrival, I walked to the Ibis not far from the airport and took the train into the city. I sought out a restaurant that was fully gluten free. Talking to the owner, he mentioned that I had arrived on the eve of a very important day in Valencia; October 9th was the day that commemorated the liberation of the city from the Moors in the 1200s.

I made my way to a central area where people started gathering for some traditional performances.

Afterwards, I found out there would be fireworks. The only problem was, it would take me an hour's round trip just to get to my hotel and back. I chose instead, after walking quite a distance to the museum area where they would be displayed, to just lie in the grass and wait. I passed three hours this way. It was quite a display!

It was a late arrival back at my hotel. First, the walk took the better part of half an hour to the nearest metro stop, and then another half hour on the train. I think I made it back around 2:15 am.

The next morning, I returned to the city and emerged from the Xàtiva station to find myself once again in the middle of the action. I was in perfect timing to see the formal ceremony that preceded the parade, which I followed for a period of time as it wound through the narrow streets. The only disappointment was the cathedral was closed due to these festivities.

After the parade, I ate a quick lunch down a quiet side street, and returned to the hotel to check out, and walked back to the airport to collect my rental car. It was nice to get out on the freeway and see some countryside south of Valencia en route to L'Albir.