Tom in Spain Begins

Saturday 17 January ----------It's a cool day with on again, off again rain. My last weekend before school starts Monday morning. Ambled slowly on the slick cobblestones to Mercado where I managed to pick up enough provisions (along with a stop at my local green grocer) for two or three meals plus snacks, for all of about 25 euros. One of my purchases was a wonderfully crusty brown bread upon which I immediately chipped a front tooth on my return home. These old teeth are giving out one by one...but tonight I enjoy a seafood salad with olives in oil, local cheese, green salad and the aforementioned crusty bread...followed by fresh papaya which the green grocer suggested was very good for the stomach...or the other translation of his pantomime being that I'm developing a beer belly.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a great What'sApp call with Sam, I walked to Jardin Botanico (Botanical Garden Valencia) this afternoon, which is a remarkable multi-acre compound with thousands of trees, medicinal and decorative plants with laboratories, an extensive library and more that dates back to the 18th century. Originally a medicinal research facility, now more or less a big park in the middle of the city. This place is over 50 acres! On the way home, I marveled at the hundreds of Saturday afternoon walkers parading through narrow streets and alleys dating back to medieval times - it is the glory of being in old town, protected by the huge Court Tower (you'll see a picture one of these days!) After that. a FaceTime chat with Emily and Lily where Emily strove mightily to help me get access to my photos for this blog. Be patient, dear reader. Looking to get back to sunshine and blue sky tomorrow.