Day Four – A Fantastic One
Oh, My!!!!!!!!!!!! Where to start today. Up early…6:30 a.m. wake up call. Breakfast and on the bus for the Train Station. THE BLUE SHIRTS WERE AWESOME for train travel today. We were divided into 7 different coaches, all with different “train leaders”. Everyone was very mindful of their purses and belongings and on into the security line. VERY efficient. Then waiting…had a little bit of a snafu with seat assignments so we waited. And then we waited some more. I was watching the clock, minutes ticking away…those trains leave ON TIME. At 8:52 we all started down the escator to the platform….all 88 of us. The train left at 9:00 and we all made it. The train was delightful. Wonderful reclining seats, foot rests, ONE jelly bean snack…and we mean ONE….very calming, lulling, put everyone to sleep trip along the Mediterranean…..some of us kept our eyes open to see it! 3 hours later we arrived in Valencia. Beautiful train station adorned with Valencia Oranges….then off to find lunch. Our group of 8 found lovely outdoor dining with a server that spoke NO English. Paella around the table, salads with goat cheese, fish, and of course a bit of mystery meat for Neil Gartner….we found out it was veal. Gelato AGAIN….not quite the same as Italy but pretty darn good. Went to the bull fighting arena with great local vendors…lots of souvenirs coming home! 
Back to the buses to check in to our hotel. In a very unique area but lovely hotel. Lots of marble floors, lovely wood decor and a BIG pool that we’re planning on using tomorrow night. Changed into concert attire after we learned how to keep that the AC on in our rooms…. 10 minutes to the Valencia Cathedral. ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING! We listened to the end of a Mass and then were introduced to our interpreter and the Music Director/Cantor of the Cathedral. I must say that on our initial meeting he was kind of “cool” towards us….another choir coming to tour…..ho hum! AND THEN he heard us sing. As Mr. Kreiner said “And then he was putty in our hands!” We had about 5 minutes to practice in our three rows and then decided to be seated in the priest seats…..they looked like they were supreme court justices. The baritones and altos were on one side and then the tenors and sopranos on the other. PHENOMENAL sound! We sang four acappella pieces throughout the mass. VERY moving. After the service, our music director new best friend, took us to this very special chapel that houses the HOLY GRAIL….yes, THE HOLY GRAIL to you Monty Python fans. It is the only grail that has been carbon dated to the 1st Century AD. YES, its true. He was so proud to be able to take us all into this very special place as a thank you for their music. Ask you kids about the angels above us! They were certainly smiling down upon us! You would have been so proud of these singers. SO PROUD! Then off to dinner at the Zodiac Restaurant….we had the whole place to ourselves. Paella again! Not complaining…but kind of like being in Bavaria and having Wiener Schnitzel every night…..
Tomorrow is a free day….no performances. Off to Segunto, the beach, the Aquarium. A definite fun time….no pressure day. I think we are getting a little sad knowing that our time is going by so fast. We’re trying to enjoy each minute!!!!!! It’s 11:30 p.m. time to go do room checks. Lights out was out at 11:00 tonight….
Every day has something that you just don’t find on an itinerary. So much fun. So many memories.
Good night to all!
Gartner
