Water Court

The Valencia Water Court has been declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. While I’m not exactly sure what that means, it is a mouthful to say so I am duly impressed. Made up of democratically elected farmers, water court meets once a week in front of the Apostles Gate of Valencia's Cathedral, and settles conflicts between irrigation water-users orally, quickly, cheaply, publically and impartially. It is the oldest running judicial organization in Europe, rarely has anything to do, and seeing it in action made me giggle.

Water Court (he he he)

Jenni has been declared a Tangible Friend of Jacque and having her here was unquestionably, unequivocally, undeniably, irrefutably, and seriously something that made me smile.  Unlike water court, we were swamped, traveling from the polar vortex of Madrid, to the brisk Mediterranean coast I call home, and then north to gusty Barcelona.  Stealing warmth inside El Prado, Mercado San Miguel, and perhaps the most amazing place of all, Desigual, I laugh at how my favorite moments with her were when we were doing nothing at all.

My family was equally tickled to see Jenni, perhaps because it reduced their responsibility of entertaining me for a week.  We enjoyed showing her the Valencia we have come to know and love, and made her experience everything: paella, horchata, chufa, cañas, flamenco, tapas, sangria, cáqui, and water court (giggle).  Try as I might, I could not cough up a flying pig, so only Rebecca and Samantha accompanied me to my new Funky dance/exercise class to provide a comparison that made my classmates chuckle.

Some things are just too good to let go of.  Jenni is one of them.  Spain, too, is taking root in my heart.  And water court (giggle) guarantees my long, hot showers, which are necessary because the wind in my hair has reminded me that it is time to shave my legs.  Finally, I will hold on tight to anyone reading this because admit it, you could be doing something really important right now, but instead you are “Burning Paella”.