It has been a while since my last post, but here’s an update! I am currently still in school, our university works on a trimester schedule meaning we have three shorter “semesters.” I will admit it has been difficult to hear about friends in Canada being done for the year and enjoying summer holidays, but at the same time, a longer study period means a longer stay in Europe!
I only have one month left here in Valencia and then will be traveling Europe for one month before heading back to Canada. I try not to think too hard about my return, but from time to time it is a necessity. I think everyone who studies abroad can say that they have mixed feeling about returning home. I have engaged and developed a lifestyle here and it will be more than difficult to leave, but at the same time, it’s a nice thought to be going back to my family and friends in Canada. Living abroad has opened my eyes to so many new possibilities for the future. I am excited to return home, finish my last year in the BIB program and let the world take me where ever!
On another note, I have added a few pictures from the famous festival in Valencia called ‘Las Fallas.’ I am a little late with posting them (the festival was held in March) but none the less it is a super cool event and deserves to be shared!
The festival is held over a period of a few weeks in March, with the final week being the biggest! Groups create large sculptures that are displayed throughout the whole city. Each sculpture is in the running for prizes at the end of the festival.
The city is totally transformed for this festival. Streets are closed, outdoor markets set up and everything else you can imagine! In the last week there are fireworks everyday, both in the afternoon and at night. Yes, I know how strange it sounds to have fireworks during the day, but the Spanish love their fireworks and it’s hard to go a day without hearing them! The streets are filled with people and the whole city is literally one big party. It is interesting because many of the Spanish people do not actually enjoy the festival, as it causes too much commotion in the city, so they flee to another destination for the few weeks!
In the final week, there are concerts, party tents and street vendors! The whole event is built up for the last and final day when they actually burn all of the sculptures. I am not 100 per cent sure of the reasons for this (probably because they are enormous and they would have no where to keep them) but it seems like a shame because the artwork is amazing. It is most definitely a unique festival and a must see event!
Sorry that this post is a little behind the time, I have been busy (like always) with travel, school and work. In April, I travelled with my family throughout Spain, took a quick trip to Morocco, saw the natural beauty of Portugal and of course made a stop at the Eiffel Tower in Paris!
Only a few more months until I am back to Canada, so strange as it seems like only yesterday I arrived!