I am pretty sure Mom and I spent at least 50% of our time in Valencia eating, waiting to eat or planning to eat. If we did not gain 15 pounds while we were here it can only be considered a miracle.

Truthfully, the main reason we were consistently nursing a food baby is because of Fatima, Mara’s house mom.

Mara, Fatima and Me in our Valencia Gear!

Fatima is your typical Spanish grandmother. She is kind, generous, consistent in her routine (I hear she’s a candy crush expert), and lovingly critical (as most family members are in some shape or form). Fatima went out of her way to make our stay in Valencia extra special. One day, after driving us to the store, she offered to drop us off at Park Gulliver and wait for us while we checked it out.

Oh, and wait for us she did…on the sidewalk in the middle of a busy intersection.

Casual.

As Mom put it, apparently rules in Spain are suggestions not requirements. haha

Fatima spends most of her day cooking meals. She spends the other half of her day feeding us and re-filling our empty plates (even when we are not quite hungry). Thankfully, all her hard work does not go to waste because she is an excellent chef! While in Valencia, we enjoyed many wonderful local foods.

Arroz al Horno

Turron – a Christmas Treat

Fatima & a cake

Fatima took us to a well known restaurant called Daniel for Orchata, the most famous non-alcohol drink in Valencia. Orchata is made from tiger nuts (yes, those are apparently a thing), water and sugar. The drink is super sweet, but tastes quite yummy, especially when dipping warm bread (that is called something that starts with an F, but the name evades me right now).

Tiger Nuts

Fatima also arranged for us to go to her sister’s house in a small town outside of Valencia. Tere and her husband, Rafe, cooked us Paella which is the most famous dish from Valencia.

Let me say that Paella-cooking is an art.

Rafe and Tere spent almost 2 hours outside, over an open grill, cooking the dish made of rice, vegetables, chicken and bunny.

There is a very specific procedure for making the dish and, in the end, it turned out FABULOUS. (Although credit goes completely to Rafe and Tere) We had a wonderful family dinner. 🙂

Of course, Fatima is not the only person in Valencia that was overly sweet and generous to us while we were here. Mara befriended the owners of a local bar, Rosa and Jesus. One night, while in Valencia, Rosa and Jesus cooked an incredible dinner for seven of us (Mom, Mara, Me, Fatima, and three of Mara’s friends from school – Molly, Melody and Najahla). We had seafood Paella, multiple appetizers, delicious cake and LOTS of sangria.

Mara, Mom, Molly, Fatima, Najahla and Melody

Jesus with the Paella

After the sangria we had some fun dressing up 🙂 CHEERS!

Rosa and Jesus also gave Mara and me a wonderful gift: taking our first ever shot with our mother. Not only did we take our first shot with Mom, but we took our second shot with her as well. 🙂 Spain rocks.

Mom, Jesus and Rosa taking their shots

Last, but not least, Mara and Molly took me and Mom into the center of the city for churros and chocolate.

I think I am going to miss this the most when I am back in the states.

Valencia would not have been the same without the wonderful food and friends we encountered along the way. Rosa and Jesus were a pleasure to be around and made our stay so enjoyable. Fatima took me and Mom into her house every day for each meal, welcoming us with open arms. Even though we were only in Valencia a short time, I felt at home with everyone we met – especially Rosa, Jesus and Fatima. Muchos gracias!!