August in the City - Space and tranquility
I have come to the conclusion that August in Valencia City is wonderful. So many residents leave town to spend the month in their “country” homes, that are in reality located just fifteen minutes from the city centre, but at one time these were in the country, and they have swimming pools and bbq’s, that the change must be fabulous for them.
Meanwhile, the city is left near empty with room to move around and do things without the need to compete with so many thousands of people that is the norm. For ten months of the year I leave my car on the outskirts and take the metro into downtown, but in July and August I can actually drive into the city and find a place to park on the street.
The custom of shutting up business during August is still carried out by some people but more and more business owners are realising that this is a thing of the past. They must maintain open doors, so some staff take their holidays in July and the rest in August. What a great breakthrough in understanding.
Driving downtown with the sensation of country driving is wonderful. Once in a while I have found myself to be the only person on an avenue. It only lasts for a second, but outside holiday times it never happens.
The sounds are different as well. In normal times there is the constant wail of ambulances. Interestingly, that sound is almost absent in July and August. The attitude of everyone is also different in that we have the time to be human.
So, Long live August in the City. For a brief moment in the great passing parade there is time to smell the roses and to be civil.
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
I have come to the conclusion that August in Valencia City is wonderful. So many residents leave town to spend the month in their “country” homes, that are in reality located just fifteen minutes from the city centre, but at one time these were in the country, and they have swimming pools and bbq’s, that the change must be fabulous for them.
Meanwhile, the city is left near empty with room to move around and do things without the need to compete with so many thousands of people that is the norm. For ten months of the year I leave my car on the outskirts and take the metro into downtown, but in July and August I can actually drive into the city and find a place to park on the street.
The custom of shutting up business during August is still carried out by some people but more and more business owners are realising that this is a thing of the past. They must maintain open doors, so some staff take their holidays in July and the rest in August. What a great breakthrough in understanding.
Driving downtown with the sensation of country driving is wonderful. Once in a while I have found myself to be the only person on an avenue. It only lasts for a second, but outside holiday times it never happens.
The sounds are different as well. In normal times there is the constant wail of ambulances. Interestingly, that sound is almost absent in July and August. The attitude of everyone is also different in that we have the time to be human.
So, Long live August in the City. For a brief moment in the great passing parade there is time to smell the roses and to be civil.
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
