Why I Love This City

By Jasmine Crane

The summer that changed my life involved a week-long trip to the one and only City of Lights that included an extensive tour of all that is Paris that left me obsessed and begging for more.  When the week was up, I remember leaving with such a heavy heart, thinking that I might never get to venture back to this side of the world again and be with my city.  But, as life would have it, two years later I finally got another opportunity to visit Paris again!  After some hard work and serious planning, I found myself on a plane headed for Charles de Gaulle airport for my now month-long stay in the summer where I would be soaking up every bit of French culture that was possible.  And you better believe I was ready to take on that city one baguette at a time. 

So, you’re probably wondering, as most people I know do, why I was so unbelievably excited to be in Paris!  I mean, once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower, eaten some bread, and ridden the metro, you’ve seen it all, right?  Well my friends, that is simply not true.  There is so much more to Paris than just what you see on the postcards.  While the famous monuments and idea of glamour are what draw most people into the city, the rich culture, decadent foods, and simple beauty are usually what make people to want to stay. 



I know this might sound crazy, but I would honestly go back to Paris simply for the food itself.  And I’m not talking about the cuisine that you might find in those tourist cafes on Rue de Rivoli or by La Tour Eiffel.  I’m talking about the unknown gems that lie all around the city, the ones that house the best meals and drinks you’ll only hope to find.  Taking a chance on a cafe, restaurant, brasserie, or boulangerie that you have never heard of while in Paris will be one of the best decisions you make.  You will always be able to find food that is uniquely French in places where the French themselves go to eat!

 

To me, Paris remains so enticing because it is home to some important small parts of its culture. For example, on the way to the Latin Quarter, you might find the old apartment where Ernest Hemingway used to live or the building that Sigmund Freud had once inhabited in the 1800s.  If you find yourself in Montmartre on your way up to see the breathtaking Sacré Cœur, you could wander through the streets behind the church and learn about the famous artists that used to work there, marvel at the beautifully handcrafted buildings, or even visit the Musée de Montmartre and walk through the Jardins Renoir.  And afterwards, if you are lucky, you might find a wonderful fondue place down and around the corner that has a special way of serving you wine!            

                                                

   

Whatever you decide to do while in Paris, I guarantee that you will always be able to find little gems hidden around the city that you can call “mine.”  I still believe the fun part lies in being able to find them all.  Guess you’ll just have to keep visiting this wonderful city until you do! 

 

 

 

Hidden Treasures in Valencia: Miguelete Tower

By Christina Reynolds

Every day is a new adventure when exploring the streets of Valencia. You may find yourself discovering a new cafe or admiring a hidden work of graffiti, but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can find yourself walking 207 steps up for the best view of Valencia the city has to offer.

Located in the heart of the Plaza de la Reina, the Miguelete tower is the bell tower attached to the Cathedral of Valencia, and currently stands as Valencia’s tallest religious structure. From the outside, the gothic style building does not seem like too much of a journey to the top. Yet once inside the narrow walkway, the winding, spiral staircase may feel like it’s never ending. Yes, it felt claustrophobic at times. And yes, you may have a slight panic attack when other groups of people are heading in the opposite direction as you. But once that streak of light comes into sight that reminds you how close you are to the outside, it will all be worth it.

The bell tower stretches out to an octangular terrace at the top, providing a 360 degree view of everything Valencia has to offer. On one side, you’re looking at the historic Torres de Serranos and the area of your current home, and further in the distance, a look at the famous Cuidad de Artes y Ciencias. Embrace your inner tourist and take as many pictures as possible, even if your camera can’t quite encompass the experience of being up there.

So go ahead and enjoy the breeze, take in the scenery, and bask in the beauty that Valencia has to offer. The trek might take a toll on your legs, but I promise, the view is worth the climb.

Hidden Treasures in Valencia: Bioparc Valencia

By Christina Reynolds

It’s the same feeling every time you’re visiting a zoo. You inch as close to the fence as possible, stretching to attempt to touch each animal as they stare back at you with a face that only makes your heart melt. Imagine a controlled environment in which you were a part of the animal’s habitat, and not vice versa? Welcome to Bioparc Valencia.

Focusing on their concept of zoo-immersion, Bioparc Valencia differs from your average zoo. They pride themselves on immersing the visitor in the habitat of the animal, allowing for an open environment and very natural feel. Although visitors are still an arms distance from the animals, their homes are easily adaptable and provide striking similarities to their original ecosystems. Bioparc Valencia actively participates in the conservation of a species ecosystem, believing that preserving its habitat is essential to saving its species. Additionally, each habitat provides in depth information and interactive teaching techniques regarding its animals, not only assisting visitors with an exciting experience, but an educational one as well.

Get a feel for the African savannah, equatorial forest, Madagascar and the African wetlands all in the center of Valencia. From zebras and hyenas to giraffes and gorillas, the park offers visitors a multitude of animals to visit. For only a two and a half mile journey from the study center and only 24 euro for admission, you can enjoy the day feeling like you’ve embarked on an African safari.

Want to get a little closer? Here’s a friendly tip: giraffes love to eat the grass surrounding their habitat. Grab a handful and reach as far as you can, and if you’re lucky, maybe one will snack on what you’re offering!

Hey, Where's My Stuff?

By: Christina Reynolds

It can happen to the best of us. One minute you’re walking through a crowded area, taking in the thriving lifestyle around you, and the next something is missing from your bag. Pickpocketing continues to be prevalent amongst major cities throughout Europe, specifically in Spain. With Spain’s unemployment rate hitting a excruciating 24.6% this past June, people are finding more and more ways to target tourists for their personal belongings. Even worse, without an inkling of their knowledge that it is even happening.

Pickpocketing has become less of a risky move and more of a sport for many, leading people to get creative with their sneaky tactics. After personally falling into the category of tourists abroad who have been stolen from, as my iphone now rests in a stranger’s hands, I am aware of the moves I was so oblivious to before. But don’t fret; here are a few tips to help you avoid these sneaky people, and keep your iphone in good hands!

1. Keep your bag close to you and zipped at all times

This is where I went wrong. My bag was always close to my side, yet the zipped up part occasionally became hard to remember. Especially in crowded areas, always keep your bag zipped. This makes it more difficult for someone to hack into, and gives you more time to react if it does in fact happen.

2. Avoid diversions

While it is in a traveler’s nature to want to see and explore every possible sight, people may take advantage of this curiosity. Many methods are used to distract you, leaving your belongings in a more vulnerable state. When I had traveled to Paris for the weekend, I had heard a rumor that women would throw baby dolls wrapped in a blanket at tourists, prompting them to catch their “child” so they could steal your purse! Thankfully I never had to experience that kind of trickery, but it just goes to show how in depth their planning could be.

3. Stay away from passageways and confined areas

Hovering near the doorway of the subway or train may give pickpocketers an easier escape route if they do choose to attempt this. If found in a situation such as this, don’t stress. The more aware you are of your belongings, and the more crowded it is in the confined space, the more difficult it will be for the pickpocketer to get away with their potential motive.

4. Don’t keep personal items in your back pocket

Especially for guys, personal items being held in your back pocket is a major target for pickpocketers. While guys tend to check if their wallet or phone is still in place, people pick up on these motions, signifying for an easy snatch once they get the chance. Keep these belongings in your front pocket, or in an area less noticeable to potential thieves.

Whether in the middle of the day or in the dead of night, pickpocketing can happen to anyone. The idea of losing yourself in the city can quickly transform to losing your valuables in the city, but by simply keeping a watch on your stuff and your surroundings, you’ll be going back to America scratch free in no time.

 

Wanderlust

By Christina Reynolds

Wanderlust

[won-der-luhst] noun: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.

 

The urge may not be there upon leaving America, but it will definitely be tugging at you left and right once abroad. Once given a little taste of the unknown, the travel bug gets to you, leaving you craving it more and more. Thankfully the fantasy of exploring each and every country can soon become a reality during your time abroad.

 While studying abroad in Valencia, there were many opportunities to venture to other countries. With the class schedule ending on Thursdays, students always had a three day weekend to take off to wherever their hearts desired. Besides the planned program trips to either Madrid or Barcelona, there were many weekends available to see a different part of Spain, or more commonly a completely different country!

Many students took advantage of their time off from class and made group trips to a multitude of exotic places. With the Mediterranean views of Portugal being a short plane ride away, students made the trek to Lisbon to discover a side of Spain not offered around Valencia. Additionally, with France being the next closest country, many spent their weekend under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. While the proximity of these countries made traveling a little easier, distance did not stop students from exploring other parts of Europe. Amsterdam and Ireland also seemed to be popular destinations to travel to. Being about a mere three hour flight to either location, it goes to show just how easy it can be to travel around the continent from the home base in Valencia.

While the urge to explore each and every place may be strong, the only issue that stands is how to get over there. Although students may shy away from the idea of flying because of the expenses, there are many European airlines with incredibly affordable rates, like Ryanair. Being one of the cheapest airlines throughout Europe, it is no wonder it is one of the most popular ways to travel for students abroad. But be careful; one of the cheapest can quickly turn into one of the sneakiest if you’re not paying attention!

A few tips on Ryanair:

Make sure to print out your boarding pass ahead of time

I’m not exactly sure why printing out a boarding pass is such a hassle for the airline attendants, but apparently it is, and will cost you all of 50 euro as well.

Try to do carry on

Checking your bags is another 50 euro, and not worth the risk of losing.
 
Make sure you measure the size of your carry one bag before taking it
Ryanair is a stickler for oversized bags, to the point of measuring your bag for you prior to boarding your flight. The worst thing that could happen is your poor suitcase not fitting in the size measurer, and their insistence on you checking that bag. My advice? Bring a duffel bag. It’s moldable enough to fit their size standards, regardless of how full it is.