It’s my first time in Spain-Spain, that is in mainland Spain. I didn’t want to visit Barcelona and came to quieter Valencia instead.

What do they have in Valencia? A cathedral, which was a church, then a mosque, then a church again.

Cathedral and Miguelete tower

Streets have colourful tiles, mostly depicting Virgin Mary. You are reminded of the divine on every corner.

Tiles

Lowering our gaze, we see other forms of street art.

Trendy street

Cat house

A massive tree is highly respected and appreciated. If there’s a city elder, it’s this tree. Imagine how many people have entrusted their secrets and wishes to it.

Old tree

A fort, which served as a gate in the ancient city wall.

Serranos Gate

A bold palace of the arts. Words that come to my mind are crystal, iceberg and glass.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía

Towards the residential areas: a park with sunflower-shaped solar panels.

Park

Visual noise builds up: graffiti, balconies and ads.

Balconies, graffiti and ads

Pencil-shaped signs show the way to school.

School signs

Don’t be fooled, the oranges growing on trees are bitter. Not clockwork, just not sweet.

Orange tree

It’s getting dark. Where am I?

Dilapited house

The metro is grey, minimalistic and all the same: station after station, train after train. The train doors have a lever to open them, otherwise there would be no way to get out. Time doesn’t exist here.

Metro

The beach is the place to come at the end of the day. No colourful sunset today, but a plain grey sky. The sky stayed grey and I left without a trace.

Beach