Central Market of Valencia
I've a lot to catch up on here. It's August 2024 and my, there is a backlog.
One of my Airbnb hosts in Valencia was keen to show me some key sites in the historic centre, and to demonstrate how to use the local bus. She spoke only Spanish, so I was forced to practice my basic speaking skills in the language.
Those of you learning languages likely know that, in a world of abundant on-line resources, it is possible to comprehend, write and read new languages reasonably quickly. But speaking, to be understood? That's the "last mile". At least, for me, anyway. This is where I stumble and frequently fall. My friendly host filled in the gaps but not everyone is that patient.
At my small company OLi-works we host small conversational language workshops, including in Spanish, for people like me; namely those who seek an informal practice group on-line, and where they can meet different people across Canada, in Europe and sooner or later in other countries. We have fun, but there is a business side for those who want it: practicing making presentations on line, with a friendly audience.
Back to Valencia. One day we went by bus to the Mercado Central, or Central Market, an exuberant and richly coloured building that is an expression of Modernist Valencia. It was inaugurated in 1928. As you can see, it was bursting with stall, produce and people, even though it was a rainy weekday with lots of construction going on downtown.
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