I was starting to get a cold during the last few days of Granada and it hit me hard in Valencia. Maybe it was the cold or the mediocre hostel or the gloomy weather or something else, but the city failed to exert any charm on me. I stayed one night and was happy to leave. I did wander over to the impressive new arts and sciences buildings, although, I had no interest whatsoever in going inside.
I am sorry to have had such a lousy experience in Spain’s third largest and reputedly pleasant city. I think it was only a bad set of circumstances so I won’t hold a grudge. It did feel good to get on a train out of town though.
One interesting thing about traveling is the occurrence of chemistry. In some places, as in Granada, the perfect mixture of elements comes together: Friends, atmosphere, good lodging, good weather, great food, and positive attitude. At those times things cannot get any better. When those things are missing in various degrees it totally changes the feel of places. This explains why some people love the places that others can’t leave fast enough. It is part chance and part attitude. I guess that is life in a nutshell.
Barcelona here I come.
