usachica
Joined: 17 Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Ohio, USA
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 Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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�Hola Mateo!
You're talking to the right girl about Valencia. I studied there for 8 months (Sept '03-May '04) and I absolutely loved it. I can't tell you much about finding an apartment or a job because I didn't have to do those things. But I can tell you a lot about everything else.
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain (after Madrid and Barcelona) and it is the capital of the province of Valencia. The city is pretty much on the Mediterranean. The beach is just a 20 minute metro ride from the downtown area. Weather is nice. Hot summers I've been told, although I wasn't there to experience them. It never got too cold in the winter months. 40's and 50's Farenheit (I'm American, isn't that about 8-11C?) Of course, when the temperature hits about 50, Valencianos pull out their full length furs and I still walk around the city in sandals  The city is not as large as it first seemed to me. Walking across the main part of the city, that which was inside the old walls before they were torn down, takes about 30 minutes at an easy pace. I would tell you to walk just about everywhere if you get the chance. It's a great way to get to know the city. The Metro and bus systems are also reliable, but not as enjoyable... unless its raining. There's not any major crime in Valencia. Petty crime, yes (my camera was stolen). Don't wear a back-pack, wear a messenger bag, and keep it to the front of your body when you're on the bus or the metro. As a young woman, I never felt scared walking in the city at night, even the few times I was alone.
The People - It was hard to find a Valenciano who wasn't laid-back, charming, and welcoming. I think in many larger cities, everyone is in a hurry and people are less friendly. But not in Valencia. Even though I'm an American, and many Spaniards didn't approve of my government's actions in Iraq, I never felt that the people were rude to me because of that. Valencianos aren't lazy, they just don't keep strict schedules like some other people. Expect stores to open later and close earlier than their posted time, especially around siesta. And some stores will close completely for the month of August while the family takes a vacation to the beach.
The Language - Valencianos speak Valenciano (basically Catalan) and Castellano (what we know as Spanish). Castellano is mostly spoken in the city. You'd be hard pressed to find a business person in the city speaking in Valenciano. But in the province, the more rural areas, Valenciano is spoken to the extent that some people struggle with Castellano. Don't worry, signs in the city are in both languages. It's more difficult to find a Valenciano who speaks English than finding a Madrile�o who speaks it. But if you struggle with the language, you'll find people who will step forward and help you out even if their English seems worse than your Spanish!
Is this useful? If you want, I can continue and talk about places to see, the nightlife, food, day-trips, etc. Just let me know!
Jen |
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