When a heat wave rolls through in summertime, I don’t turn up the air conditioner. I think of a day spent sweltering in Valencia, Spain. No amount of sun and heat can rival that day for me. As the heat overcame me, I turned from pale to blotchy. There was no end in sight. My new travel friend Christine of C’est Christine decided we should go explore Valencia at the hottest part of the day. Perhaps I didn’t know Christine well enough to tell her I couldn’t handle this and so I agreed. When it is hot in Colorado, I remember that day in Valencia. Suddenly the heat I am experiencing is all put into perspective.
We were both encouraged to visit the Valencia Aquarium, located in the City of the Arts and Sciences of Valencia. A scene similar to something out of Star Wars, this area of Valencia is not what you picture when you think of Spain. Futuristic in design and execution, the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia is made up of five attractions, designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. What used to be a riverbed is now something George Lucas would probably appreciate.
Throughout a number of museums and exhibits, the City of the Arts and Sciences of Valencia educates on science, technology, nature and art. What is perhaps the cruelest of jokes concocted by the designers are a number of inviting pools of water surrounding this space. As I notice the temperature on a bank building, 109° to be exact, I have to fight all of my social senses not to jump in these pools.
For fear of heat stroke, on my part, not Christine’s, we save a visit to the Oceanográfico, the largest aquarium in Europe, for the next day. Having bad memories of the previous day in the heat of Valencia, I welcome going into air-conditioned exhibits. However, the sea creatures do not appear to be happy with their placement, but maybe that is just how it seems. Little cages and containers are not my idea of a good life. Marine life is meant to travel, to swim effortlessly through an underwater world. Aquariums put a limit on travel for these beings.
We head for Jardines del Real, what once served as the gardens to the Royal Palace that is no longer here. Pathways and park benches present through lush greenery and lots of shade. I naturally request a seat on a park bench in the shade. I watch the elderly of Valencia take their afternoon strolls here in peace, quiet, and yes, shade.
Travelers must utilize the park bench and cafe chair more. Out of my time spent in Valencia, I remember the heat. I remember those pools I wanted to swim. I remember my depression for the marine life trapped ironically in the largest aquarium in Europe. However, most importantly, I remember the park benches in the shade. I remember the conversations and strange people I saw while perched in the cool, including the lost backpacker still covered in tomatoes for La Tomatina. I remember melting like the Wicked Witch of the West, a role I played in 3rd grade. While you can’t escape your past, you can escape the heat on a shady park bench or café chair in Valencia.
Have you been to Valencia? Where is the hottest place you have ever traveled?
I have been to Valencia before in June, where it was perhaps not so hot, but still hot. I remember wanting to jump into those pools too! Instead though, my friend and I traveled to the beach where the wind was so strong it was like being sandblasted unless you were behind one of those tents on the beach. We also spent some time on park benches watching people. People watching is one of my favorite activities when traveling!
I’ve been told by several people to stay away from Valencia in the summertime. Now I can see why! I think the hottest place I’ve ever experienced is Las Vegas in July: 110F and higher is just too much for me…
Suzy, I am sure the heat was horrible that day. Southern Spain is known for being hot. But compared to Sevilla, Valencia feels like Spring!! Average highs in Valencia for the hottest months of the year are in the mid 80s. It DEFINITELY gets hotter than that but poor Sevilla!! The average heat in Sevilla in July and August is 95 – 10 degrees higher than Valencia. So if it is hot there, you can imagine Sevilla!
I used to wonder why the city had so many trees there in Sevilla along with the whitewashed streets and alleys. That place can be a furnace! I LOVE the city – one of my favorite cities in all of Spain. But I just couldn’t live there in the summer.
What can I say, I’m from Sacramento! My personal favorite part of home is when we start counting how many 100+ days in a row there are. I think the worst part of this day was me totally underestimating how big that park was…and that the ice cream machine was out of lemonade popsicles…and my bus anxiety.
I have not been to Valencia, but I will agree with the reader above…Las Vegas! I will also throw in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Hot HOT HOT!
It’s been ridiculously hot and humid lately here in Ohio – up above 100F last week in many places! We Midwesterners are just not built for this sort of weather…
I went with a friend last weekend to the little hippie town of Yellow Springs in southern Ohio, and I seriously thought I was going to end up passed out in a puddle of my own sweat. It was hot and oppressively humid, and very few of the shops were air-conditioned. Damn hippies. Lol.
Are you a professional photographer? The pictures are outstanding, among the best I’ve ever seen. Good article too, I’ve been to Spain before but not Valencia. I’ll keep it in mind as I do want to re-visit Spain sometime in the not too distant future.
Great article Suzy!
Houston Texas in the summer is about the worst! Nothing to do, hot and humid. You wake up and it’s 90 degrees already and that’s the best part of the day. I’d rather be in the heat in Valencia!
I can understand what you mean about aquariums. I might be being dense but I’m trying to work out if your photo is of the Arts and Sciences museum or the aquarium? Either way the building is spectacular, but it looks a little like a fish 🙂
Hi,
Im from Valencia, but I dont think is so hot over here! Maybe next time we should invite you to one of our pool summer parties!
Im happy that you enjoyed the city!