Iowa City

Iowa city is a small place. I never thought that I would live in a place called Iowa City. I could say that I have a love-hate relationship with Iowa City but, if I think thoroughly, Iowa City is a small and special place to live in. I like that I can walk to the university everyday, even if it’s cold, because Iowa City has surprisingly sidewalks. I’ve been in cities in the U.S. where you can’t find any sidewalks! This is a positive point and that there is a downtown is a positive point too. I like the small shops in downtown. For example, and this is not publicity, I went to “La’James College of Beauty” last Friday and I really enjoyed it. It was cheap and the people there were tremendously friendly. People are very friendly here. Let me think..., I love the Art Building. The Art Library is amazing! I like the architectural contrasts. I like the most that I’m learning a lot in Iowa City and that the time here is being very enriching. In Iowa City I also have discovered my passion for cats. I have a cat. His name is Life and he has helped me a lot through everything what has been going on in this time. He’s a good boy. I had a grudge against this city but now I’m learning how to like it. I’m giving it an opportunity.

I am from a small town near Valencia, Spain, named Algemesí. With a population of about 27,000, its economy is basically rural. The town is located in a natural park, L’Albufera, which is a big swamp surrounded by rice fields and which has numerous species of birds and fishes.
If I had to define my hometown with a word I would say oranges. Yes, Algemesí is one of the most important production centers of oranges and you can find our fruit all around the world.
The climate is mild with scarce rainfall, except for October, and hot summers. The sea, mountains, and vegetation are pretty much like in California.
The origin of the town is Islamic. The town was part of the Islamic kingdom of Al-Andalus, was conquered by the Catalonians, and converted to Christianity in the thirteenth century. That is why we speak both Catalan and Spanish, the language of the kingdom that dominated the Iberian Peninsula from the sixteenth century.
Algemesí has a couple of things to offer in spite of its rural predominance: churches and religious festivities. Algemesí’s nickname is “The little Vatican”! The feast of the Virgin of Health (Mare de Déu de la Salut) is the event of the year. During three days the entire town is devoted to its patron saint and celebrates her with dances and masses. Yeah, I know, it doesn’t sound fun, but it is. Even if you don’t believe, the folklore and the whole paraphernalia are beautiful. We also have bullfighting after that.
To sum up, Algemesí isn’t the most popular travel destination, but it is worth a detour. If you happen to be close by, stop there and eat one of the delicious pastries that we have to offer or eat some of our oranges. I swear they are good!!