RED RAIN Aug 19, 09:07
This is the first of a new category of posts here -- "Valencia" -- with observations and commentary about the ups and downs of daily living here in VLC (the airport code for Valencia, now commonly used by our team and others as the abbrev. for Valencia).
Valencia isn't perfekt, no place is. But gradually I sense we as a team are coming to terms with if not enjoying the city and surroundings. Living here is inexpensive, the food is excellent, the locals are very friendly, good private schooling, and the weather much nicer than Auckland and, especially, Hamburg (our previous hometown).
We all knew going in that having the Cup for the first time in a non-Anglo country, especially one where relatively little English is spoken, was going to be tough on our mostly-Anglo families. I speak a little Spanish so it has been easier for me. Others are coping. Am impressed by the number of our teammates, and their families, who are sticking to their Spanish classes and books, and slowly but surely are picking up a bit of the lingo. And our Spanish team members ("tripulantes") like Anabella "Happy" Alegre, Sofia "Sarah" Barraclough, and Alejandra "Alex" Mato are a big help.
One aspect we all struggle with is the dust, even in the suburbs -- so it can't be blamed on the constant construction in and around downtown.
Here is an excerpt from today's edition of a popular English-language newsletter we subscribe to called Valencia Life:
MORE ON THE WAY
According to the weather experts, the ‘red rain’ that has been present recently in the Valencian Community, is only a presage of things to come. The most recent rainfall of this nature was the first rain to fall in the Community for over 50 days, but at the same time, left the biggest amount of red dust since records started in 1988. It would appear that the ‘red rain’ emanates from North Africa, and is only apparent when the storm is over.
So that explains it! Overnight, my car went from pristine clean to this...
The good news is that los meses calientes -- the hot months of July and August -- are just about behind us. Last summer seemed hotter. So either it has been a mild summer, or we have gotten used to the heat, or now that we are situated it is just not as uncomfortable as we expected. Probably some combination.
Having finally adjusted to the hot weather here, today I fly up to Malmoe. Racing begins next Thursday. We shall see just how thin the old blood has become. Am packing a heavy jacket just in case.
Valencia isn't perfekt, no place is. But gradually I sense we as a team are coming to terms with if not enjoying the city and surroundings. Living here is inexpensive, the food is excellent, the locals are very friendly, good private schooling, and the weather much nicer than Auckland and, especially, Hamburg (our previous hometown).
We all knew going in that having the Cup for the first time in a non-Anglo country, especially one where relatively little English is spoken, was going to be tough on our mostly-Anglo families. I speak a little Spanish so it has been easier for me. Others are coping. Am impressed by the number of our teammates, and their families, who are sticking to their Spanish classes and books, and slowly but surely are picking up a bit of the lingo. And our Spanish team members ("tripulantes") like Anabella "Happy" Alegre, Sofia "Sarah" Barraclough, and Alejandra "Alex" Mato are a big help.
One aspect we all struggle with is the dust, even in the suburbs -- so it can't be blamed on the constant construction in and around downtown.
Here is an excerpt from today's edition of a popular English-language newsletter we subscribe to called Valencia Life:
MORE ON THE WAY
According to the weather experts, the ‘red rain’ that has been present recently in the Valencian Community, is only a presage of things to come. The most recent rainfall of this nature was the first rain to fall in the Community for over 50 days, but at the same time, left the biggest amount of red dust since records started in 1988. It would appear that the ‘red rain’ emanates from North Africa, and is only apparent when the storm is over.
So that explains it! Overnight, my car went from pristine clean to this...
The good news is that los meses calientes -- the hot months of July and August -- are just about behind us. Last summer seemed hotter. So either it has been a mild summer, or we have gotten used to the heat, or now that we are situated it is just not as uncomfortable as we expected. Probably some combination.
Having finally adjusted to the hot weather here, today I fly up to Malmoe. Racing begins next Thursday. We shall see just how thin the old blood has become. Am packing a heavy jacket just in case.
Valencia | by TFE
