#oropesadelmar

Madrid: Packing while trying to think a few steps ahead is not that easy without having an actual plan but I tried my best. Once everything was stored in the car we were heading to the cost of beautiful Spain. The four hours ride were sweetened by listening and singing to songs of El Canto del Loco and Justin Bieber.

Stranded in Oropesa del Mar - Marina d’Or I couldn’t believe my eyes. Walking out of the door of the apartment I was going to live in for five days, what first seemed like prison became later on a feeling that wouldn’t change during my stay. Stepping down the stairs and entering the entrance let me guess the upcoming and I didn’t get disappointed. I entered a totally different world. A world I would imagine as a film scene (funny thing, shortly after returning to Madrid I should figure out that a friend of mine actually shot a movie in this very location - Di que Sí). On my way down the street, heading to the beach, I felt like I was in a huge Parque de Atracciones (amusement park) just extended over a whole quarter. While melting at the beach and waiting for the time to get refreshment a strange feeling crept over me and one word came o my mind: to pretend.

To cut it short, despite of getting tanned on the beach and swimming in the salty sea, every evening was pool time and to span the time to the parade we had a walk backstage (I never thought there would be a cinematic city beside Weimar) or through the actual city Oropesa.

A change was needed: Beach between Oropesa and Marina (seen in the picture). This piece of nature was not overloaded with advertisement and kids.Good for a walk (jogger were also present) and a swim without being overrun by a water jet.

Housing in Oropesa. Compared to the district Marina the actual town is calm and nice.

Seafront and nightlife in Oropesa.

Next to the illumination for the parade, the peak of the burlesque, I want to mention the eight theme amusement parks, the parks designed a la Alice in Wonderland and the buildings along the main streets disguised like emanating from a movie.

Leaving all this glam & glitter behind I made it to Valencia. For architects a ‘must have seen’! I always wanted to experience the city I have heard so much about and here I was, at 6 o’clock in the morning.

Here it was - Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) - as beautiful as I ever imagined. I strolled around for hours and managed to take advantage of the rising sun. The first thing for me to see was the amazing Palau de les Arts (Opera House and Cultural Center).

Spending some time there while the sun was rising.

Continuing my walk I came by the Hemisfèric (IMAX) and the Museu de les Ciències (Museum of Science).

Alongside to be seen the Umbracle (Sculpture Garden and Landscaped Walk).

As I kept moving I got to glance at the Oceanogràfic (Ocenarium) while circling around the Ágora (multifunctional covered space).

Next to it one can gaze at at the Assut de l’Or Bridge.

Leaving this huge and impressive ensemble, which was part of a project to connect the northeastern and the southwestern part of the city via a green lung, imbedded in an old lost stream leading right through the city, I was heading to find me some breakfast nearby. Starched and rested I continued my way: next stop historic city center. To describe what is coming next I would understate just using the term ‘straight ahead’, because used alone it would get lost on the way. Yet the English language precautionary provides three more, which I need to add: ‘ahead’, ‘straight on’ and ‘straightforward’. Now I feel confident to go on with my story. Crossing the green lung the first time it lived up to its promise (or at least to what I had imagined).

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