Thursday, 10th April 2025

We started off Thursday with another Spanish lesson. After class, Thaddäus and I walked to Decathlon to pick up a football – we’ve been talking about playing more often, so it was time to make it happen.

Back at home, we chilled for a while before getting back into the kitchen. Thaddäus, Ruben, Jimmy, and I cooked a delicious meal together: rice with chicken and vegetables – a solid team effort!

Later in the afternoon, Thaddäus, Ruben, and I headed out for a game of football to try out our new ball.

The rest of the day I just relaxed.

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Friday, 11th April 2025

Friday marked our final day of Spanish class. To thank our teacher Jesús, we surprised him with flowers – he was super happy and touched by the gesture.

After class, some of us went to KFC to grab a bite. In the evening, Ruben, Thaddäus, and I went out to a bar for a couple of beers. There, we met two people from Colombia and had a conversation with them about Valencia and our experiences so far.

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Saturday, 12th April 2025

Saturday was a slow start – we slept in and took it easy. Later, I went with Jimmy and Florian to MediaMarkt to check out some electronics and gadgets.

Afterwards, Jimmy and I went shopping, and I ended up buying two new pieces of clothes. Jimmy also found a few great pieces – successful shopping trip overall!

We spent the rest of the day at home, just unwinding and enjoying a quiet evening.

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Sunday, 13th April 2025

We slept in again and later met up with Mr. Maier. We all had a couple of beers together and talked for a while – it was a chill and fun afternoon with good vibes all around.

After that, we headed back home and enjoyed the rest of our Sunday in peace.

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The first week has flown by, and Valencia is already starting to feel familiar.

April 10 – Uno, dos, tres, cuatro.

The day began, as always, with our Spanish class with Jesús. Today we tackled the numbers from 1 to 100. I can now count fluently and finally order the correct number of croissants at the bakery (usually “cuatro,” let’s be real).
In the afternoon, we turned into master chefs and cooked Nasi Goreng together – an explosive combo of Asian food, Spanish olive oil, and general chaos in the kitchen. Despite several near-disasters, it turned out surprisingly tasty.
Later, we played some football on the dusty pitch nearby. We kept going until the sky burst open and it started pouring rain.

April 11 – Hables espanól?

Today was the last day of our Spanish course. We learned a few last-minute useful phrases like “¿Dónde está la cerveza?” (essential for survival), and then we had a final exam covering everything we’d learned that week.
Did we pass? Hard to say. I think Jesús was just happy to be rid of us.
We chilled in the afternoon – our brains were mush after all the grammar.
At night, we headed into the city to check out a few bars. At was very fun and we met nice people from Columbia

April 12 – Balling with the Ball

Saturday was a chill one. I wandered through the city, bought a basketball (best impulse buy ever), and played with a young guy from Ukraine who didn’t speak much English but could seriously hoop.
We communicated with gestures, smiles, and three-pointers – sports really do bring people together.
In the evening, I crashed in bed with some chips and watched a Spanish movie with subtitles. After that i fell asleep.

April 13 – Beers and Drums

Sunday was full of surprises. We met up with our teacher, Herr Meier, who just happened to be on vacation in Valencia. It turned into a beach-side beer session filled with wild stories – the kind that get more dramatic with every drink.
Later, we strolled through the city and watched a Catholic procession – drums, incense, giant holy statues, and people in traditional robes. It felt like a historical movie, just with better weather.
Valencia keeps throwing unexpected things our way.

Thursday – 10.04.2025

We continued with our regular Spanish classes today. After class, the four of us had a little cooking session together. We also got ourselves a football so we can play on the fields near our accommodation from time to time.

Friday – 11.04.2025

Friday was our last lesson with Jesús, our Spanish teacher. We had slowly grown fond of him – and just like that, our time with him was over. As a small thank-you, we wanted to give him a bouquet of flowers. So, during the break, we quickly went to a florist and took care of it. When we gave him the flowers, he blushed a little.
Afterwards, we headed to KFC to do some very important investigative research – to find out if it tastes the same here. And yes, it tastes exactly the same. Absolutely, absolutely the same! What isn’t quite the same, though, is the price – it was much more expensive than in Germany.
Later, I grabbed one of my compañeros, and we went to the beach together. We ended the evening there.

Saturday – 12.04.2025

On Saturday, we slept in first. Then we headed into the city. We walked through the city center and also stopped by the local MediaMarkt. What’s surprising is that they don’t display prices. If you want to know how much something costs, you have to go to a small machine and scan the items.

Sunday – 13.04.2025

We were able to sleep in again today. Mr. Meyer from the OSZ visited, and we met up with him. We met at the beach and had a few beers together. In the late afternoon, we went back, and Timur and I ended the evening with some delicious sushi delivery.

Our first week in Valencia continued with more Spanish lessons – this time we learned the names of weekdays and months, how to tell time, and all kinds of useful vocabulary related to food and kitchen basics. It’s been really helpful to build up a foundation, especially since we’re surrounded by the language every day. I still have a lot to learn, but it already feels easier to understand signs and little phrases in everyday life.

After class, we decided to take it slow and had a cozy movie night at the apartment. We watched Avengers: Age of Ultron – sometimes it’s nice to just stay in, especially with so many impressions and new experiences throughout the week.

To end our Spanish course, we surprised our teacher Jesús with flowers. It was a small gesture, but he really deserved it – his energy and humor made the lessons fun, even though we were all beginners. On the last day, we reviewed everything we had learned and took a short final test to see how much we had improved in just five days. I think we all felt a bit more confident afterward.

Later that day, my boyfriend and I went out for tacos – and the best part? They were only 1 Euro each! Honestly one of the best deals we’ve found so far. Afterwards, we explored the area around Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The architecture is stunning – modern, futuristic, and super clean. But if I’m being honest, it also felt a bit too empty and quiet. You end up walking a lot, but there’s not that much going on once you’re there.

We also checked out more of the city center and took a look at the historic Bank of Valencia building. That area had much more life – busy streets, cafés, people everywhere. I really enjoy just walking around and discovering these little corners of the city.

One morning, we treated ourselves to a nice brunch in a neighborhood called Ayora. The toast I had was so delicious, I’m definitely going to try and recreate it at home. The area was lovely, but again, strangely quiet. I’m starting to wonder if we always pick the oddest times to go out – everything seems to be closed or empty when we get there!

To round off the weekend, we met up with Herr Maier, at the beach. We had a couple of drinks and talked about how things have been going so far. It was a really nice and laid-back way to reflect on our first week here.

Living with 8 people under one roof? Sounds like a sitcom. Or a horror movie. Depending on the day. It’s loud, it’s messy, and someone always steals your yogurt – but guess what? We actually look out for each other. We even chip in for cleaning supplies and food. Real adulting stuff. Gold star for us.

On the last day of our Spanish course, we gave our teacher Jesús a bouquet of flowers and snapped a group photo. The guy looked so happy, I swear he nearly evolved into a Disney character right in front of us. Pure joy, no filter needed.

Now, behind our house? BOOM – instant nature. Like, actual fields and flowers and chirpy birds. It’s all very Instagram-worthy. But if you’re headed to the supermarket, buckle up. There’s an „adventure route“ that involves climbing fences, dodging thorns, and risking your dignity. Indiana Jones, but for groceries.

This week we created a cleaning schedule. (Yay, democracy!) Guess who got picked first with Florian? Me. But plot twist: everyone bailed to go drink with Mr. Maier. Classic. So I did what any exhausted hero would do – I cleaned the whole damn house myself. Kitchen? Sparkling. Two bathrooms? Sanitized. Floors? Swept, mopped, and polished like Mr. Clean himself did a walkthrough.

Sure, it was tiring. Sure, I now have beef with every dust bunny in existence. But when the squad got back and said they could eat off the floor? Chef’s kiss. Also, it finally smells like lemons and justice in here.

Oh – and I treated myself. Bought the most expensive strawberries I’ve ever paid for. Worth every damn cent. Locally grown, sun-kissed perfection. No moldy imposters, no mushy disappointment. Just sweet, crisp, juicy flavor bombs straight from the fruity heavens. Best. Strawberries. Ever.

And the real MVPs of Valencia? The cats. They’re everywhere. Lurking, lounging, judging. You’re never alone on the streets here – there’s always a cat watching. Probably plotting. Definitely majestic.

EXTRA BONUS ROUND: It’s Palm Sunday – Domingo de Ramos – and we thought we missed the parade for Semana Santa Marinera. WRONG. Turns out, in our very own neighborhood, the evening procession had just started. Florian and I basically WWE-tag-teamed our way into clean clothes and ran to catch it.

And holy palm leaves, it was magical. Long lines of people in traditional robes, some barefoot, some carrying religious statues that look like they belong in the Vatican’s VIP section. Locals holding woven palm branches (a classic symbol of peace and Jesus‘ entry into Jerusalem), incense thick in the air, and solemn music from brass bands echoing through the streets. It wasn’t just a parade – it was a full-on emotional rollercoaster wrapped in tradition and goosebumps.

Valencia doesn’t just celebrate Holy Week – it lives it, breathes it, and marches it down your block like a boss.

Next week? I’ll be back with more chaos – and I’m checking out the local Easter festivities. Bunnies, eggs, and maybe a resurrection or two. Stay tuned.

Travel Diary – Valencia, April 2025

Sunday – 06.04.2025

Our journey began at 4:30 in the morning when we finally arrived at the airport. But that’s when the
real fun started. The automatic baggage drop didn’t work, and I had to battle my way through
several Ryanair staff just to barely check in my luggage on time. Then I just managed to catch my
flight – and we were off. The flight was pleasant, and I managed to catch up on some sleep.
When we landed, we were picked up by Luca, one of our local coordinators. We were taken by taxi
to our accommodation. We had been worried beforehand that the place might be a bit cramped –
and it is, but it’s not as bad as we expected.
Once we settled in, Tobi, Fanlai and I headed to the city center where we tried the famous drink
from Valencia: Agua de Valencia. After that, we checked out the beach and then headed back,
relaxed and happy.

Monday – 07.04.2025

Today our week-long Spanish course began. We were greeted by Jesús, our Spanish teacher. He
doesn’t speak much English, but he’s doing his best to teach us Spanish. After the class, we went
grocery shopping together to prepare for the next few days.
Later, I went to the city center with Timur, Jacky, and Flo. We visited several places:

• Torres dels Serrans – former defense tower, now a top-tier selfie spot
• Real Colegio del Corpus Christi – as fancy as it sounds
• Plaza de Manises
• La Seu – where even the old stones age better than us
• Plaza de la Virgen – a full-on church overload with the Valencia Cathedral and the Basilica
  

Tuesday – 08.04.2025

Today we had another Spanish lesson – a mix of theory and speaking exercises. Challenging at
times, but also pretty fun. You can tell we’re making progress, even if our pronunciation still needs
work.
After the class, we decided to cook dinner together. Pasta with homemade sauce – simple but good.
It was nice to share a meal and just relax for a bit.
Later in the evening, we ended the day with a chill round of Counter-Strike: Source – at least as long
as the Wi-Fi cooperated. It was a bit chaotic with people dropping out of the game, but that just
made it more hilarious.

Wednesday – 09.04.2025

Today’s lesson didn’t start until 4 PM, so we had a lot of time in the morning. We used the chance to
sleep in and have a proper breakfast – the first relaxed one of the week. Then we headed out to do
our usual grocery shopping. At this point, the local Consum supermarket is starting to feel like a
second home – everything feels familiar, and even the cashiers are beginning to recognize us.
After the groceries, we picked up some cleaning supplies to tidy up the house over the next few
days. A bit of order never hurts – especially in a shared flat.
The class in the afternoon was pleasant – not too hard, but definitely engaging. Jesús taught us new
vocabulary related to shopping and food, which was a perfect fit for the day. In the evening, we sat
outside, listened to music, and enjoyed the warm Valencian evening.

Trip to Valencia – My Erasmus+ Adventure Begins

Sunday, 6th April 2025

The day started early: I arrived at the airport at 4 a.m., since our flight to Valencia was scheduled for 6:00 a.m. At the entrance, I met Ruben and Thaddäus, and together we dropped off our luggage. While waiting in line for the security check, we also ran into Jacky.

After the security check, we headed to the gate, where we met Fanlai and Tobi. Later, Florian and Jimmy joined us too. Finally, it was time to board the plane – and our journey began!

The flight was smooth and pleasant. I was seated next to Jimmy and Ruben. One of the most beautiful moments was watching the morning sun rise through the airplane window.

Once we landed in Valencia, we were greeted by Luca, who’s in charge of our accommodation. After a quick chat, he arranged taxis to take us to our place. We were handed our keys and then split up into rooms. I’m sharing a room with Jimmy – here’s what it looks fine.

Here our Place where we stay:

The place is decent – a bit small for eight people, but we’re managing for now.

Later in the day, Thaddäus, Ruben, and I went for a walk around the city to explore. One highlight was the huge park that runs through the entire city – we really enjoyed the sunshine while strolling through it.

In the evening, we chilled at home as a group and ordered Taco Bell to celebrate our arrival. I spent the night on a bunk bed – not bad but could be a little bit better.

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Monday, 7th April 2025

Our first proper day in Valencia started with our Spanish course. Class began at 9:30 a.m., and we met our teacher, Jesús – a friendly guy! We did some exercises in Spanish and worked on worksheets. Class ended at 1:30 p.m.

I spent the afternoon relaxing at home for a bit. Later, Florian, Jimmy, Jacky, and I headed into the old town. We wandered through the charming streets and even tried Agua de Valencia – it was nice ;D

We kept the rest of the evening low-key and just hung out.

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Tuesday, 8th April 2025

Tuesday kicked off the same way – Spanish class started again at 9:30 a.m. The lessons were like Monday, but still fun, and we’re slowly understanding more and more.

After class, Ruben, Thaddäus, Jimmy, and I went grocery shopping at a local Spanish supermarket called „Consum“ to get everything we needed to cook later. Once home, we made lunch together – it turned out good!

Later that afternoon, the three of us spontaneously decided to go for a jog – we ended up running about 5 km through the city. The weather was just perfect for it.

In the evening, we had a little LAN party: some of us played video games together, had a couple of beers, and just enjoyed the night.

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Wednesday, 9th April 2025

Wednesday was a bit different because our Spanish class didn’t start until 4:00 p.m. and went until 8:00 p.m. That meant the morning was free – perfect for sleeping in, relaxing, and tidying up a bit.

Around noon, Jimmy, Ruben, and I went back to Consum to pick up a few household items we still needed. Later, we headed to class, which was held right next to the football stadium – cool location.

After class, we returned to the apartment and cooked again – it’s starting to become a nice tradition. And now I’m sitting here, writing this blog post.

I’m really looking forward to the coming weeks here in Valencia – so much more is going to happen before the 31st of May!

Valencia Trip – Part 1 (Sunday to Wednesday)

Sunday:

The trip started really early on Sunday our flight from BER was at 6 AM, which meant waking up at 2:30 and heading to the airport by 3 AM. Despite the lack of sleep, we were super excited. The flight itself was actually really nice. When we landed in Valencia, Luca from the Organisation in Valencia picked us up at the airport and we took a taxi to our accommodation.

We didn’t waste much time. Timur, Ruben and I headed straight into the city to explore a bit. We spent about four hours walking around, checking out the beautiful park built in an old dried-out riverbed, and grabbing something refreshing to drink. After soaking in the vibe of the city, we headed back to our place. That night, we ordered Taco Bell (since you can’t get it in Germany), which definitely hit the spot.

Monday:

Monday was the first day of our Spanish course. At 9:30 AM we met our teacher, Jesús, a really kind guy who gave great lessons, even though his English wasn’t the best. Still, we could understand each other pretty well. In the afternoon, Ruben and I just chilled in our apartment while the others were out and about. I also went for a little shopping trip to grab some essentials snacks, water, and the usual stuff.

Tuesday:

Tuesday started with another Spanish lesson at 9:30 AM. Later that day, Timur, Ruben and I went for a jog, we ended up running about 5 km all the way to Benimaclet, a neighborhood a bit further into the city. It was a solid run! That evening we had a chill little LAN party and enjoyed a few cervezas.

Wednesday:

Wednesday was different. Class didn’t start until 4 PM, so we could finally sleep in. In the morning I went on a big grocery run to Consum with Flo and Jimmy. After that, I made myself a good breakfast and just relaxed until it was time to head out. Our class had moved to a new location, right next to the Valencia C.F. stadium, which was super cool. After class, we cooked dinner together and wrapped up the evening in a cozy way.

Day 1 – Arrival in Valencia (Sunday, April 6, 2025)
After weeks of anticipation, we finally touched down in sunny Valencia! We were warmly welcomed at the airport and driven straight to our home for the next two months. The excitement was real — blue skies, palm trees, and the promise of tapas just around the corner.

Once we arrived at the house, the reality set in. Let’s just say… it’s functional. The place is okay, but pretty basic. The kitchen has just the bare essentials (we might need to get creative with cooking), and cleanliness wasn’t exactly the priority of the last guests. Some rooms are tiny — like, “can-barely-fit-two-bags” tiny — but hey, it’s all part of the adventure, right?

After settling in and choosing rooms we spent the evening unwinding, soaking in the first vibes of Valencia.

Day 2 – First Day of Spanish Classes (Monday, April 7)
Today marked the start of our Spanish course, and we were all a mix of nervous and excited. Our teacher Jesús turned out to be an absolute gem — super friendly, patient, and full of energy. We dove right into the language and were already forming basic sentences by the end of the day.

Post-class, we went grocery shopping. We whipped up a simple dinner together — nothing fancy, but it felt good to eat as a group. Later, we took a walk through the city center, enjoying the warm evening air and charming streets. Valencia at night has its own kind of magic.

Day 3 – Finding Our Flow (Tuesday, April 8)
Another day, another Spanish lesson. The rhythm is starting to feel natural — class in the morning, then the rest of the day to explore and enjoy. After class, we hit the local market again and cooked a delicious meal together. This time we got a little more adventurous with the ingredients.

In the afternoon, some of us decided to go for a jog — ambitious, considering we aimed to reach the beach. Turns out our route planning needs some work, but we got a great workout in and discovered a few new parts of the city in the process. No beach this time, but we’re getting closer.

We wrapped up the evening on our little patio, sipping cervezas, laughing, and sharing stories under the stars. It already feels like we’re forming our own little family here.

Day 4 – A Slower Morning & Spicy Evening (Wednesday, April 9)
Today’s Spanish class didn’t start until the afternoon, which meant we had the morning free — a rare treat! Some of us did laundry, others took care of the kitchen situation (we’ve now declared a mild war on the lack of cutlery), and a few even squeezed in a mini workout session in the yard.

Class in the evening was once again a lot of fun. Jesús really knows how to keep us engaged, and we’re picking up phrases that are actually useful for daily life here.

Dinner was good tonight: red lentils with roasted vegetables and garlic-chili shrimp. We’re slowly turning our basic kitchen into a gourmet zone — not bad for not bad when you consider that one knife was more than just blunt and the other was a tiny swiss knife.