THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (part 3)

The permanent exhibitions are often damaged, their generally educational value is limited:
The science museum has very little of its space for exhibitions, which are generally poor, trying to save with participatory areas (which generally do not work), and workshops for children who are more focused on entertaining than to teach.
The Agora, is permanently closed.
L'Oceanografic is more a water park to see dolphins doing tricks to an aquarium that teaches biology.
L'Umbracle, is only operates as a private club.
The Palau de les Arts (the opera) serves more as a place for conventions, private parties and various presentations, which as opera.
I think in this circus of dubious culturalism, L'Hemisferic is only saves from this poor cultural offerings with its range of 3D planetarium and documentary film.

As generally in Spain there is a certain contempt for energy savings, in which light is wasted (in general lighting, and the citizenship of their workers little because walking around the office areas are lights and computers on, without anyone being used) as if it were free and from inexhaustible sources.


In addition to large pools and artificial rivers treated with products harmful to the environment, to be always "nice", also favor a large evaporation of water must be replenished constantly, in a country and a region that suffers especially severe droughts, and where fresh water is sparse. And while approving municipal regulations to limit the use of private pools of Valencia (which are quite rare in the city) have the luxury of wasting it in artificial landscapes, terribly managed and poorly designed.
To which we must add the great air conditioning consumption as is needed in this large buildings  and with so much wasted space (which increases energy waste and contributes to climate change).

It should be added that the Valencian government, says that the city of arts and sciences is more visited than the "Alhambra" in Granada, which if it were true (which I doubt), has the problem that most people visit the city of science alone outside, so it is not profitable.

The only current profitability of the city of arts and sciences, is the fact that is rented for events and publicity spots.

report of "salvados" Spanish television program of La Sexta on the Spanish cultural bubble. Sorry, only in Spanish

picture from the city of arts &ciencies made by me

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (part 2)

Because conceived on paper their forms, not knowing how to develop in practice, works are delayed and significantly increase the price, to which must be added a lot of millions spent on it is not known which, because they are not justified anywhere. And it has never been sought and judged any responsible for the barbarities of  "disappeared" money

There are buildings like the Ágora that despite the large amount of money invested in only runs for the Valencia Fashion Week, the open tennis, and few acts more during the year.
Or the opera house that almost never fills its capacity, causing many of the artistic companies take months in charge for their performances.

A bridge with the center and curved so high that needs a traffic light in the middle for being one of the major traffic black points in Spain, with a single sidewalk in the middle, impractical for the user. In addition to the under access is cut, to prevent for people to see the empty interior of the Agora.

.The service management usually goes through a pyramid of subcontractors which has grown to ten intermediary companies to reach the final job (myself about 10 years ago working as street entertainer in the science museum in gaining 60 Euros net per 4 hours a day, and the company that hired me had nine more over to reach the City of Arts and Sciences "CAC", which made ​​me wonder how much money I will be costing the public company).


interesting link about "the route of squandering" (in spanish)

picture from the city of arts &cience made by me

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (part 1)

No one doubts the great architectural work that is the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia (another thing is that like it or not).
What if in doubt is its functionality, its price, its usefulness and if it was necessary this waste of vacuous continent.


To begin, despite being a project to open science to the people, ended up being just a policy issue (corrupted by the way).
Conceived by the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Party), who designed and paid for the project. And almost entirely converted to something larger, spectacular and expensive (plus empty of content) upon payment of the new project.

The original budget was 175 million Euros and the end has already cost more than 1,200 million Euros and is still unfinished and has not finished paying for (which increases our deficit and bank interest).

Not to be demagogue, we must recognize that of the three original buildings, now there are many more structures built, but that does not remove the fact that not are practical, have been conducted without limitation of budget, many buildings are underused, its design is not useful, its management is highly inefficient and corrupt, to which must be added the very low cultural and scientific value of most of its buildings and its questionable environmental management.

The structures are both difficult and expensive to clean as to maintain, and were not designed for climbers (who have to clean and repair them, neither have easy access with appropriate security measures.

They have a lot of space that can not be exploited, which forces to improvise custom made options that continue wasting space while they are expensive.

interesting link about the architect (it's in spanish)

picture from city of arts & ciencie made by me

CARRIL BICI / BIKE LANE VALENCIA

link de google

link mapa en PDF

WORLD TOURISM DAY September 27 (Lliria)

The town of Lliria (Liria in Spanish, ancient Edeta), also adds to World Tourism Day, free opening their first-century Roman mausoleums (with audio guides in Spanish, Valencian and English) on the schedule from 10 to 14 hours and 16 to 18:30 pm. more information in Tourist Info.

logo taken from the website of Tourism

WORLD TOURISM DAY September 27 (Sagunto)

Sagunto guided tour, you must sign in Sagunto Tourism offices, this is the link in Spanish council, explaining more of the route.

poster of the Sagunto tourism day taken from the City Council website

WORLD TOURISM DAY (Free Activities in Valencia )

The truth is that I had never heard of this day, but as we host it  this year, there are many promotional activities, with the motto: "Be a tourist in your city." Although it seems very poor the number of places per tour.
To join, you must contact the Tourist Info Calle  La Paz, 48.

Activities include guided tours around Valencia (and in several towns).
tours will be made 2 per Route  (1 of them led by the Federation of the Deaf of Valencia FESORD)

To not repeat what is in the link, I will only mention the routes:


SEPTEMBER 27:



1 cycle route through the historic center and Science City (15 people).

2 Walking on foot through the vegetable garden of Valencia (20 people).

3 Travel by boat on the Albufera. (15 people).

4 Tourist train by the Turia riverbed (60 people).

5 guided tour Ipads in electric cars (4 couples, one with driving license B1).

6 Route guided walk through the center of Valencia (20 people).

7 Route guided walk through the historic center (three routes English-Russian, Spanish and Valenciano 20 people per group).



SEPTEMBER 28:


Guided tour through the neighborhood and the Market Cabañal (20 people).


There are other activities in this link

Tourism Day poster taken from the Web of Tourism

WORLD TOURISM DAY 2012 (27 September)

The UN General Assembly, appointed on September 27 as World Tourism Day since 1980 (becoming the same as the day it adopted the statutes of the World Tourism Organization in 1970 to promote the importance of tourism, cultural , politically, socially and economically.
Since 1997 every year, appointing a host country for the meeting (this year it's up to Spain).
This year's theme is: "Tourism and Sustainable Energy: Drivers of Sustainable Development"
Official celebrations will be held in Maspalomas (Canary Islands).

logo taken from the official website of World Tourism Organization

GETTING AROUND VALENCIA (MOTORENT)

A good way to move within Valencia and surrounding area is by motorcycle. It is easy to park (as opposed to the car), not tired, you don't suffer traffic jams, consumes little fuel, thanks to the climate of Valencia can be used virtually all year, and is comfortable to visit nearby villages.

Curiously enough, the Spanish law, allowed to drive motorcycles up to 125 CC to any person who has the car driving license (card B) over 2 years (within the Spanish borders, and whenever a license compatible with European rules).

Since not all have motorcycle a few years ago was installed on Valencia Motorent franchise (rental motorbikes). With very reasonable prices and unlimited kilometers (unlike cars):

12 hours 29 Euros.
24 hours 39 Euros.
A weekend (from Friday until Monday early morning) 95 Euros.
199 Euros a week,
(If you prefer another mode there are to negotiate with them).

The motorcycles are offered only Suzuki Burgman 125, a scooter with the center of gravity lower than other brands (which gives more stability and security), the trunk under the rear seat's largest market (capacity is for 2 helmets) and has a minimal consumption. Although don't is a motorcycle for many kilometers by road (by displacement) is very useful.

In Valencia have (to my knowledge) two stores:
General Barroso Street 37, (0034) 963 770 304  
Avenue Tirso de Molina 21, (0034) 963 408 056  
Both are Suzuki motorcycle shops.ID is required. and valid driving license.

Motorent logo, taken from their website

LA TOMATINA (history):

The history of the Tomatina began last Wednesday of August 1945 when a group of young people who witnessed the parade of Giants and Bigheads, they wanted to make a place to go in. In doing so, they fall one of the participants, who in anger, began to hit everything he could find. By a twist of life found a vegetable stand and the angry crowd began a battle of tomatoes, until the police managed to stop it.

The following year, the youth repeated the altercation voluntarily (carrying tomatoes from home). Although the police broke up over the next few years this new tradition, these young men had just made history.

In the early 50's the "party" was banned, which did not dissuade the participants (who came to be arrested). Finally the people claim for the party, which is again allowed, becoming more numerous and more frantic.

The party were re-banned until 1957, which became a symbolic burial of the tomato. A demonstration in which the residents carried a coffin with a giant tomato inside. The parade was accompanied by music bands that played funeral marches, and was a total success.
That gender as the Tomatina again be allowed, and instituted as an official holiday.

The party began to be popular in Spain thanks to a report of Informe Semanal
(Research program and current of Spanish Television) in 1983.

Since then the Tomatina increasingly grows more and more becoming declared International Tourist Interest Festival in 2002.

Burial of tomato Picture, taken from the website of the Tomatina

ADVENTURE TOUR (the day before the Tomatina Buñol, August 28)

If someone wants to come on Tuesday 28 August, I have planned a route of about 10 km.

The route starts at the train station of Buñol, about 12 hours, followed by a visit to the castle, the route is medium-low difficulty,  we'll walk to the Cueva del Turche (lake formed by a plummeting natural where we can take a swim) by mountain roads to reach the hostel of Actio in Alborache, where we will do an adventure activity Climbing in  climbing wall, hanging bridge Tirolina (flying fox?) and Archery (the activities depend on the number of participants). And whoever who want can also swim in the pool. At the end, we will walk to Alborache (which is at 1 kilometer or so) where we'll catch the bus to Buñol. Where the route ends.

To join you have to confirm until 1 week before to my mail differentguides@gmail.com or my phone (0034) 622 456 890 (0034) 622 456 890  My name is David. Because it is necessary to confirm the hostel.During the tour I will explain history, curiosities and landmarks (including information on the party area and places to eat).

The finish time depends on the number of participants (more participants more adventurous activities, and therefore end up later.

According to many participants we are, the price will vary between 15 and 20 euros, including the route, adventure activity, the pool, the bus back (and once in Buñol backpack you can leave your in my home until the next dayif you want) .
How you arrive depends on each one, the food must be brought from home, but if someone wants, you can talk to the hostel and there you pay, will be paid before starting the route, and not wait for someone who is late from the departure time.

The route will be in English and Spanish, participants will be between 10 and 20 to make the adventure activity.

No one who is drunk or with clear effects of having used drugs, can participate. And it requires respect with the other participants (who did not have it, will leave the route).

Recommendations for the route:
Wear sneakers or hiking boots (no flip flops), swimsuit (and a towel if you want), sun hat (and sunglasses), sunscreen (because even look for shade, there are not too many in Buñol), sandwich or similar (You can also wear it for dinner, although there are quite cheap prices), comfortable clothing, backpack (it is more comfortable and easier to leave in my home at night, or to take it away), water (we will find sources, but there are not potable water is from the mountain).

picture of the hostel where we will make the adventure activity made by me

LA TOMATINA Buñol (Valencia) what to do

People who go to the Tomatina, mainly choice between two options:

-The first option is to go the previous Tuesday, to know Buñol and its surroundings, and then spend the night partying in the open air pubs (in the St. Louis Park) or go to the disco-mobile with DJs (in the opposite zone, in the park Planell) in Buñol that night is known as "the Empalmá" because the town is full of people eager to party and the music is not over till the next morning.

At 9 am (approximately) is distributed wine and scones in the Town Hall Square
10 starts on the Bat-Soap (a kind of greasy pole, topped with a ham) the team who get it, win it. Meanwhile neighbors and firefighters Spraying water cooling the atmosphere.
More or less at 11 is given the starting signal of the Tomatina until have finished passing all the trucks.

If someone wants to book a place to sleep, do it early. In the Web of the Tomatina, there are suggestions, I can also advise you whether if you contact to me.

-The second option (which is more stressful), is to go on Wednesday (keep in mind that you must walk about 2 miles at least to reach the area of La Tomatina and the trains will be full. So come with time).

If someone wants to come on Tuesday 28 August, I have planned a route of about 10 km.

The route starts at the train station of Buñol, about 12 hours, followed by a visit to the castle, the route is medium-low difficulty,  we'll walk to the Cueva del Turche (lake formed by a plummeting natural where we can take a swim) by mountain roads to reach the hostel of Actio in Alborache, where we will do an adventure activity Climbing in  climbing wall, hanging bridge Tirolina (flying fox?) and Archery (the activities depend on the number of participants). And whoever who want can also swim in the pool. At the end, we will walk to Alborache (which is at 1 kilometer or so) where we'll catch the bus to Buñol. Where the route ends.

To join you have to confirm until 1 week before to my mail differentguides@gmail.com or my phone (0034) 622 456 890 (0034) 622 456 890  My name is David. Because it is necessary to confirm the hostel.During the tour I will explain history, curiosities and landmarks (including information on the party area and places to eat).

The finish time depends on the number of participants (more participants more adventurous activities, and therefore end up later.

According to many participants we are, the price will vary between 15 and 20 euros, including the route, adventure activity, the pool, the bus back (and once in Buñol backpack you can leave your in my home until the next dayif you want) .
How you arrive depends on each one, the food must be brought from home, but if someone wants, you can talk to the hostel and there you pay, will be paid before starting the route, and not wait for someone who is late from the departure time.

The route will be in English and Spanish, participants will be between 10 and 20 to make the adventure activity.

No one who is drunk or with clear effects of having used drugs, can participate. And it requires respect with the other participants (who did not have it, will leave the route).

Recommendations for the route:
Wear sneakers or hiking boots (no flip flops), swimsuit (and a towel if you want), sun hat (and sunglasses), sunscreen (because even look for shade, there are not too many in Buñol), sandwich or similar (You can also wear it for dinner, although there are quite cheap prices), comfortable clothing, backpack (it is more comfortable and easier to leave in my home at night, or to take it away), water (we will find sources, but there are not potable water is from the mountain).

Recommendations for the Tomatina:
Comfortable old clothes that you don't mind throwing (because that's what will happens certain), old sneakers (if you don't do this sure that will end up in the rubbish) or sandals that are attached to the ankle (because otherwise you will lose it in 5 minutes), goggles are useful (because the acid of the tomato in the eyes is very disturbing), only cameras that can withstand water (you can buy a disposable).
For girls it is safer to use  swimsuit than the bikini (although this is forbidden there are some subnormal people trying to remove it), an airtight bag to keep valuables without getting wet.

Picture of the cave Turche made by me