With Opportunity The World Is Very Interesting

Mar 5
4 min read

Updated: Mar 9

I love Beatrix Potter and how she would engage children with nature through her books. It is one of the greatest values a human being can nurture in others.

When was the last time you noticed a tree, a bird, a bee, or a flower around you? Not by chance, I mean that you purposely decided to sit and relish in nature.

By moving to different cities, I had to find ways to relate and create a sense of belonging every single time. Nothing allowed me that chance as much as parks.

It is one of the most uplifting experiences for me, and I’m amazed that we get to enjoy them for free! At least most of them worldwide.

There are plenty of wonderful reasons to adore Valencia, but the first grand landmark you must learn about is the Jardín del Turia! The idea for the park-like garden emerged after the Great Flood of Valencia on October 14, 1957, when it was decided that it was no longer safe to flow through the city centre because of the risk of future floods. In 1958, the decision was made to reroute the river to a nearby location through the "Plan Sur" when the Spanish government and Valencia's city council planned to construct a major transportation axis. However, due to public demand for green spaces through the movement "The Turia riverbed is ours, and we want it green", the plans shifted towards creating a park. I am so grateful for Valencians for pushing this project forward. Not only because it offers so much to sense and explore, but also because I have found my favourite tree so far! Its name is Ceiba Speciosa (Silk Floss Tree), and it has a hibiscus-like pink and yellow flower (they grow in light yellow too), with a trunk out of this planet! It’s like something you would see in the Pandora or Star Wars movies. You can find them everywhere in Valencia, but in the garden, you can have a picnic under its shade and relax while dwelling in its wonder. And the best part? Parakeets love to feed on their flowers! They create a unique and joyous sight to admire for hours. I didn't discover the parakeets love the “ripen” buds until winter arrived, and found them feasting on them.

I had been looking forward all year to the Speciosas seeding, and I kept wondering how I would reach the seeds since the trees are so tall, but after really strong winds in January, most of the pods fell to the ground, giving me a chance to gather them! Yay! I now understand why it is also called Silky: it is due to the protective coating around the seeds. I wish you could feel its cotton-like floss one day. It's impressive how a plant can create something so beautiful to the touch.

I also have a great affinity for this tree because it is a relative of Guatemala’s national tree, the Ceiba Pentandra (Kapok Tree). Another one of nature’s artworks!

While promenading in the garden, it's so lovely to see children playing in the football courts (in Europe, you don’t call it soccer), the birds bathing, families celebrating birthdays, tourists and locals riding their bikes, cute dogs wagging their tails, walking underneath several impressive bridges, and all of it while enjoying its breathtaking flora and fauna. There is a reason it is the most-visited park in Spain: it also includes Gulliver Park, the Parque de Cabecera, the Palau de la Música, Bioparc, and La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

One of my favourite bridges is Puente de La Exposición, mainly for its composition and because of the Alameda subway station, which has a gorgeous design.

If you are paying attention while walking from the street into the garden, you will find that even the walkways on the side of the bridges are unique. I photograph them all the time; you can’t get enough of them.

I don’t think you would cover the entire Jardín del Turia in one day, and even though it's a lot of fun to ride bikes through it, I strongly suggest you visit on foot, since it’s also the largest linear park in Europe, which makes for a greater spectacle. You can always exit to get something to eat or drink, then go back.

While going across the Turia Garden around the beginning of February, I noticed Carpenter Bumblebees going nuts for the Shrubby Germander! It was exciting to learn these bees were up and about before Spring completely sat in. When you see them up close, they have a blue, litmus-like glow on their wings, which is impressive. There is so much more to see.

I can’t wait to visit the park around the end of March when spring is triggering plants to bloom!

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