The tradition continues...virtually

A spring-time tradition for Richard is performing his unique arrangement of "When the Saints Go Marching In" for a church service and a fund-raising concert. Now that we are only 3 miles from the church, instead of 3,000, it's "COVID-Crazy" that we'd have to opt for a "virtual" rendition rather than a live one. The upside is we get to share it with you! 

Our visit to Valencia was an afterthought so the timing was not particularly well-planned. Little did we know that we had arrived in this beautiful city just as it was beginning its biggest celebration of the year - Les Falles, a commemoration of St. Joseph and the coming of spring -  one continuous street party filled with traditional costumes, marching bands, elaborate street lights, amazing sculptures, and, most of all, pyrotechnics. It's a festival like no other in the world and it's no surprise it is on UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list. It is technically a 5-day affair from March 15 to March 19, but in reality it completely consumes the city starting two weeks earlier. 

Armed with Hop’s list of “must-see” attractions, we set out to take in as much as we could of Valencia (pronounced “Ba-LEN-thee-a” by the locals). Here are just a few of the highlights.

Another stroll through the riverbed Jardí del Túria park brought us to the Museu de Belles Artes (Museum of Fine Arts). They have a great collection of works by Joaquin Sorolla - who was born in Valencia and has become one of our favorite artists. They are exhibited along with paintings by those who influenced him and those whom he influenced. Not quite as captivating as the museum in his Madrid home, but a great take nonetheless. ​