Alcossebre (Comunidad de Valencia) Trip IV

 

Another August, another family trip to the coast (Trip I, Trip II, Trip III). The rhythm of the beach takes some getting used to, but once one settles in the groove it can be relaxing and enjoyable. Ana's family are creatures of habit and that being said there is an absolute routine to an average day at the beach. If you spend a month here, probably 20 of your days will look exactly like I outline below.

7:30-8:30 – Wake up and have breakfast. I usually have an espresso-like coffee from a perculator, a bowl of oats with fruit, and my absolute highlight of the day, a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice.   

8:30-9:30 – Bicycle ride along the coast. The early morning crowd of Alcossebre starts to hit the streets at about 9:00 so if you can get out a tad earlier you can enjoy relatively deserted streets for some time. There are cyclists, joggers, and loads of walkers. One of my favorite groups are the people with vans or campers that arrive to points along the beach to set up shop for the day. The lucky ones that snag the good spots early look smug as they unload their tables and lawn chairs while surveying their well-selected beach real estate. The area will later fill up with other beach goers but for now they can enjoy some exclusive serenity.   

Prime real estate.

 9:30-12:00 – The first chunk of, “free time”. Ana’s parents emerge from their slumber around 9:30-10:00am and I often have a second breakfast, usually some fruit and maybe a little jamon sandwich. Unlike the other meal times, breakfast are mostly solitary and everyone does their own thing. It’s usually still quiet and cool and a great time to read.   

12:00-2:00-  This is the perfect time to go to the beach. The beach is about a 15 minute walk (one mile / 1.6km) from the house. There are some other less populated beaches but they require a short drive, it just depends what one is in the mood for. I prefer the walk to the beach, quick swim, dry, and then walk back to the house. Upon arrival back to the house it’s standard to go for a quick dip in the pool to rinse off any sand.   

2:30-4:00 – Lunch.  

4:00-7:00- The second chunk of free time. It’s highly encouraged to take a siesta after lunch but one is free to relax in the shade and “read” (ie, doze off). Physical activities are highly discouraged.   

7:00-10:00 – Activity. This usually consists of a walk and “tomar algo” (literally to take something but meaning have a drink and tapa). We either walk from the house or drive to another neighborhood and walk from there. Regardless of where we begin, it always ends with us at a bar or cafe having a tapa. When the sun begins to set we head home.   

10:00-11:30- Dinner. The rumors are all so true, the Spaniards have a late dinner time. It’s usually something light and it’s quite nice to wait until the sun goes down and it cools of a little. I usually head to bed around 12 or 12:30 which is far off my usual bedtime of 9pm but one must adapt to the local customs.