We’re moving … again. Yes, it’s true. We lasted about six months in one abode, but due to issues beyond our control and seemingly beyond that of the owners (a foul sewery smell and while Valencia sometimes smells, this is different), we have lucked into another apartment.

I say lucky, but it’s a double-edged sword because it was the apartment of friends of ours who are temporarily returning to the States. Boo. The place is just a 10-minute walk from where we are now, near Mercado de Colon if that means anything to you and it doesn’t smell (which means something, really a lot, to us). We will still have a guest room and now a much bigger terrace, so come on over. But you have to book, we’re going to have to put out the “No Vacancy” sign soon.

And now to the ins and outs of immigrating. First: Are we immigrants or expats? Are we staying forever or just passing through? Good questions. Of course, we have no idea. Our planning horizon is short. Everyone here says the Spanish bureaucracy is a winding maze of red tape. True, but that’s true everywhere (especially in a certain country these days if you are deemed “undesirable”.) Anyway, we needed reams of papers, stamped in the U.S. plus translations plus Spanish bank statements stamped and signed plus our apostiled (basically a seal certified by the state) marriage certificate plus our first-born child (sorry Josh) plus an appointment plus a lot of patience. And then it’s up to the fates and the whims of the police. Be that as it may, we are progressing through the system. Me first because I have an EU passport, and once I am done, we will submit Steven’s applications.

So what else have we been up to? I joined a sketch group and realized that while I am not an artist, I can draw a somewhat convincing flower or leaf. Hey, it’s something. We went to the finale of the pyrotechnics convention (the International Symposium on Pyrotechnics!) and watched a huge fireworks display from a bridge near our apartment. Valencia brings out the relaxed nature in people, so the crowd was appreciative, but calm. I like the tranquila ambience of Valencia because it helps keep my shoulders from touching my ears.

We hosted our niece and nephew, Catherine and Jacob, and we think they had a good time. They were totally chill guests, they brought us port and Jacob cooked for us so they are welcome back any time.

We also learned that the Valencian government has become VERY skittish about rain and flooding since the terrible storms of two years ago, so the 6K walk again cancer we were supposed to do last Sunday got cancelled due to forecasts of a lot of rain and the city shut down early. It was a bit like when a huge snowfall is allegedly coming and then it snows a quarter-inch. To be fair, flooding happened outside the city, kinda like when Long Island gets snowed in and kids in the city have school. Anyway, it was a little rainy Sunday and Monday with some thunderstorms, so we didn’t get in our walk although we did trudge out (on the Metro) to a convention center just outside the city to pick up our numbers and T-shirts. The walk is supposed to be rescheduled, but we haven’t heard anything yet.

Saturday night we attended a monthly 55+ Expats group (I know we are way too young — wait! what? The 55 is for people over 55 years of age! I thought it was just the minimum number of people who would attend…I don’t think I am old enough to go). We met some fun people and connected with a couple who we had Zoom chatted with. We “met” them through a friend of Steven’s who knew they were interested in moving to Valencia (shout out to Dan the Man Safran for the intro). The four of us hit it off and we all went out for tapas and wine after the meetup. A great time was had by all.

Oh, and very importantly, we voted. Also a bureaucracy involved, but I have to say that Broward County, Fla., did right by me. They answered the phone quickly and got my ballot to me (on the second try) promptly. They also confirmed that they received our completed ballots. Now we just have to hope they get counted.

And finally, it is tomato season here and all I have to say is YUM! I have been buying tomates azules, or blue tomatoes. Check out the photo. They are as delicious as they are pretty (but not blue — OK, they’re purply, but still pretty and delicious).