Podcast background

[Chiny]

I was listening to the latest podcast yesterday in my car and once again noticed, over the traffic roar, the podcast background of birds twittering - impressive for a big city.

I was in Valencia a couple of weeks ago, a city I always find noisy but not from birdsong so maybe Madrid is different.

--
Chiny

[Marbella]

I agree that Valencia is a noisy city. Is it possible to say that one Spanish city is noisier than another? I think in the case of Valencia the answer is probably yes.

However, there are lots of gardens in Valencia where you will hear birdsong. The Retiro is lovely but Valencia also has the botanical gardens, the quite stunning Jardines de Monforte, Jardines de Real and all that space that they have made so dramatic use of where the Turia used to run.

[Brian]

However, there are lots of gardens in Valencia where you will hear birdsong. The Retiro is lovely but Valencia also has the botanical gardens, the quite stunning Jardines de Monforte, Jardines de Real and all that space that they have made so dramatic use of where the Turia used to run.

I agree! What a masterful use of space they've made out of the old Turia riverbed. My children love playing on the Gulliver every time that we go.

http://ctspanish.com/communities/valencia/gulliver.jpg

[Marbella]

Wow! That picture really brings back memories for us. There is another nearby which is a huge rope and metal structure, like a spiders web. My children used to enjoy that one too.

[Brian]

Wow! That picture really brings back memories for us. There is another nearby which is a huge rope and metal structure, like a spiders web. My children used to enjoy that one too.

hehe, this one? The pic was from our trip in January. What fun!

88

[Marbella]

hehe, this one? The pic was from our trip in January. What fun!

88

Yes! That kind of thing exactly.

I had a play with the map annotating that Ben put on the blog today. Just a small part of Valencia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44153616@N00/177617960/in/pool-notesfromspain/) that we knew.

[Ben]

Great! By the way, is this pic from your Flickr set really the Retiro? Where is it!? I thought I knew the whole park back to front!

http://static.flickr.com/51/172080586_c4a09ae350.jpg?v=0

[Marbella]

Great! By the way, is this pic from your Flickr set really the Retiro? Where is it!? I thought I knew the whole park back to front!



Sí señor.

It is on the Menéndez y Pelayo side, quite near to the Jardines del Arquitecto (the one with the peacocks!).

[richardksa]

And the plywood zoo!!!!!!!

Marbella, I took the same pic earlier this year.

[Ben]

And I thought I knew that Park! That's a walk for me later then!

[Lizzie]

Yes! That kind of thing exactly.

I had a play with the map annotating that Ben put on the blog today. Just a small part of Valencia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44153616@N00/177617960/in/pool-notesfromspain/) that we knew.

This Flickr pic reminds me of memories of Valencia.
I stayed there for 2 months last year.
At the time I rented a room from the owner who lived in Plaza de la Legión Española, so I visited there several times.

Oh, Jardin de Botanico is one of my favorite place in Valencia. :D
I went there two times while staying, and I felt tranquil and peaceful.
But my regret is I didn't go to Jardines del Real, a big garden.
Maybe next time, I will try!!

[Marbella]

Doing that today brought back lots of memories for me too. We were up on the 7th floor of our block and had amazing views. Living there for 6 months was a great experience. Must go back and visit again soon.

[richardksa]

Ben, when you go and check it out, there's a strange little hut hidden away with a big gnome sitting on it. Definately weird!

http://static.flickr.com/76/180654312_cdb8a3df3a_t.jpg

[Ben]

I was there earlier, still can't find it! I think that area may be locked after a certain time...

[Brian]

If I've done this right, here's a pic:

Bizarre and Tolkienesque. It only needs a round door, now.

[ValenciaSon]

Lizzie, since you live in Japan, perhaps you know but is there some type of activity in Japan involving jamon iberico? I'm not sure if it relates to production or sales or both in Japan. I vaguely remember hearing something about a year ago.

[Lizzie]

Lizzie, since you live in Japan, perhaps you know but is there some type of activity in Japan involving jamon iberico? I'm not sure if it relates to production or sales or both in Japan. I vaguely remember hearing something about a year ago.

Tokyo and big cities were undergoing a Spanish food boom last few years.
And now counting roughly, there are about over 100 Spanish restaurants and bars in Tokyo area alone. Of course price is expensive than Spain, but we can eat almost all Spanish food, paella, jamon iberico, tapas and etc...:) We also buy Spanish foods in some big supermarkets!!
When I really want to eat jamon iberico, I sometimes buy it on internet shopping site which is less expensive than supermarket!

[ValenciaSon]

Hai, ocarimas!

[Edith]

Tokyo and big cities were undergoing a Spanish food boom last few years.
And now counting roughly, there are about over 100 Spanish restaurants and bars in Tokyo area alone. Of course price is expensive than Spain, but we can eat almost all Spanish food, paella, jamon iberico, tapas and etc...:) We also buy Spanish foods in some big supermarkets!!
When I really want to eat jamon iberico, I sometimes buy it on internet shopping site which is less expensive than supermarket!

A couple of months ago I saw a documentary on TVE (Spanish television) about flamenco lovers in Tokyo. According to the program, there are at least a couple of thousand of these aficionados and they have even got their own store in Tokyo where they can buy all kinds of things related to flamenco music, e.g. clothing. Do you know anything about this?

[ValenciaSon]

I wonder if the japanese can perfect the production of quality, affordable embutidos.