12 October 2025

It’s been a full week. The big news is that I got a new set of fingerprints for an updated FBI background check. I’ll get that mailed via FedEx tomorrow. I have no idea what impact there will be, nor for how long, the US government shutdown will affect that process. But I know that when I get that report, I’ll then have to get it translated by an approved translator. Once that is done, it will have to be “Apostilled,” an internationally recognized sort of notary seal of authenticity. That’s just one aspect of the application process.

My updated travel plan is now to arrive in the US on Tuesday, December 9. Once I arrive, I’ll go immediately to Los Angeles to file the application for a “non-lucrative” (aka retiree) visa with the Spanish consulate. Then I wait until I get news of its approval. I hope to return to Spain on Friday, January 16. By applying before my current student visa expires on the 2nd of January, I’ll be able to apply one of my two years that I’ve spent in Spain towards future permanent residency. That’s a big help!

My attorney has urged me to buy a changeable ticket as my return will be incumbent on receiving the visa back from the Spanish consulate in Los Angeles. That timing may vary.

I’m organizing specific dates and details within the US for travel snd visits. More details to follow.

This week Valencia celebrated and then didn’t.

The 9th of October is Valencia Day, a day to remember King Jaime I of Aragon who drove out the Moors and made Valencia a “Christian” kingdom in 1238. The day is celebrated with fireworks, parades and unique foods.

Now, Valencia is known for 320 days of sunshine each year. But the weather this week has had a LOT of rain. Even so, before the weather turned bad, there was an unveiling of newly painted murals just a couple blocks from my house, as part of Valencia Day.

On Wednesday night, the “eve” of Valencia Day, the city had planned fireworks and a drone show at midnight. Sadly, severe storms were barreling toward the city, so they canceled the drones and moved the fireworks up to 10:00 p.m.

It was still an impressive show:

By shortly after midnight, the rain started. By 3:00 a.m. everyone was awakened with crashing thunder, brilliant lightning, and heavy winds. Mother Nature always has the best fireworks.

If Valencia Day is more of a civic holiday, October 9th is also a day to remember Saint Dionisio, who was the first bishop of Paris and was martyred. Legend has it that after being beheaded, Dionis walked over 3.5 miles (6km) through Montmarte, with his head under his arm. At the end of his journey, he gave his head to a noble woman and then died. Somehow, this act of devotion has inspired a second “Valentines Day,” a day for lovers, where lovers give marzipan sweets shaped as fresh fruits and vegetables.

I gave these to Vicente. But guess who doesn’t really like marzipan? So Yours Truly has slowly been eating this tray of pure sugar this week.

The connection to Valencia is this: After the war of Succession in the 1700’s, celebrations of Valencia Day and King Jaime I were prohibited. So, locals started celebrating Saint Dionis, along with the sweets for lovers. When it became legal again to celebrate Valencia Day, both traditions continued simultaneously.

The parade and other holiday activities were canceled for the rain on Thursday. While everything (schools, stores, and most businesses) was closed on Thursday, Vicente and I had tickets to see The Main Squeeze, a band based out of Indiana that night.

The Main Squeeze is a talented group, with sounds of rock, jazz, blues, funk, and much more. We had a great time!

Friday afternoon, my landlady was finally able to get someone to fix the water problems in my kitchen, three weeks later! She and her husband came to supervise the work. I’m glad to say, I have functioning hot and cold water in the kitchen, and a fully operational washing machine again!

Then on Friday afternoon, Vicente and I had tickets to see La Ruta, an immersive exposition on the history and legacy of what eventually became known as, “La Ruta Bacalao,” literally, “The Codfish Route.”

From the 1970’s to the early 2000’s, the road south from Valencia, was lined with large discos and clubs that started every Thursday night and would continue until Monday or Tuesday, non stop. People would come from Madrid and Barcelona and all over Spain to dance and party all weekend long.

The thing about La Ruta Bacalao, was that it brought out incredibly creative talents in fashion design, graphic design, music, and more. It became a true cultural touch point. And yes, there was a lot of drug use.

The expo did an interesting job highlighting the creativity with immersive experiences, while not shying away from the reality of the drugs.

This weekend has been raining a lot. So other than meeting Vicente and Cooper in the park when the rain paused, I stayed home, did laundry in my functional washing machine, and binged on Netflix.

That’s my week. How was yours? Thank you to everyone who has written to say they want to meet when I’m in the US. It’s been great to hear from you and I can’t wait to see you.