How to enjoy arts and culture in Valencia on very little money: on Sundays, have a coffee at the Mercado de Colon and enjoy a free concert by (what I think is) a college orchestra.
Niamh (with me, above), Amanda and I went to Casa de l’Orxata to sample the traditional ‘horchata con fartons‘ and nabbed a good table near the band. As well as the concert, we observed some free theatre when one of the camereros dropped a whole cup of hot coffee on one of the senior gents at the table next to us. The poor customer was drenched, probably with damage to his coat and jeans (if not the uhm, parts *under* his jeans), but he reacted as calmly as possible, more resigned than angry. The poor waiter was gutted, and then his boss stepped in to apologise. Awkward.
After the concert, we strolled around the market stalls, set up specially for the Sunday event. They were selling an array of teeny-tiny items for making Christmas cribs, from tiny donkeys and camels, to miniature pots, pans and sacks of lentils (?). Amanda bought a decoration for her Christmas tree – a ‘rustic’ wooden snowflake while I took photos.
Downstairs in the basement, a special event was taking place – possibly a promotion for a brand of cava, with stalls selling sliders, prawns and other artisan food samples. I was rather taken with two jolly fellows selling prawns who looked like Valencia’s version of the Hairy Bikers.
Another fab excursion to the MdC. Enjoy the photos…
Orchids at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Arrangement at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Christmas tree, Mercado de Colon
Roses at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Niamh having ‘horchata con fartons’ at Mercado de Colon
Server at the cava tasting, Mercado de Colon
Flowers at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Waterfall on the basement level, Mercado de Colon
Christmas cribs for sale at the Mercado de Colon
Detail on the wall, Mercado de Colon
Arrangement, Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Detail on the wall, Mercado de Colon
Sliders at a cava tasting event, Mercado de Colon
Christmas tree, Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Servers at the cava event, Mercado de Colon
Roses at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Bulbs at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
Column at Vino y Flores, Mercado de Colon
