First Days in Valencia – From McD’s to Magic

I arrived in Valencia the Tuesday after the blackout. 

As the lights came back on late on Monday evening and I could get some work done, I finished setting up the necessary things on my digital banking app. Some months it has been but the bank app is back online.. 

I then started packing my bags feeling it was time to move on from Alicante. Details to follow as I am too stressed to tell you about them now.. 

Following a drive starting around 1am, somewhere along the way, I pulled into a Shell gas station where a couple of trucks were parked in complete darkness—just the kind of quiet spot perfect for some shut-eye. 

Waking up around 6 a.m. the next morning to the soft glow of sunrise, I heared the clerk rolling in, watched him start the day as he opened up the place. When he proceeded a while later to flipping on the lights and unintentionally spotlighting my car —and me. That was my cue to get going again. 

As I drove off, I felt a pull to stop in Denia, and I gave in—just in time to watch the sunrise over the beach. But something kept tugging me forward, so I hit the road again, rolling into heavier traffic as I neared Valencia. The gas tank dial turned yellow. Of course. But just in time, a gasstation appeared. Another roadside rescue. 

Why do I even worry? God and His angels always have me covered.

Eventually, I landed at a McDonald’s in Valencia—closed. Typical. So I detoured to an Aldi nearby where I caught some WiFi and mapped out my next move. A bit later, I found the McDonald’s. I didn’t know it yet, but this one would become my HQ, my lifeline, and even a little haven.

I settled into the McD's and started my first online meeting. Across from me I watched a woman doing her thing— looking fragile frame, and with a small headturban that covered her head. Later I saw her moving with crutches. She had clearly been through hell and back. 

Watching her reminded me: some people carry far heavier loads. 

The next day, I saw her again—her buggy parked near the entrance, and what looked like a little dog curled up next to it. 

When I searched for a plug to charge my laptop, she gently pointed me to a table. Such presences. An angel, no doubt.

I worked till about 4 p.m., got some rest in the car and as the traffic subsided into post 6pm traffic, I decided to go out for a walk. It turned into an evening of rediscovery. 

Discovering Valencia: 

Valencia is huge and surprisingly diverse. 

I wandered past Indian bazaars and restaurants, young African men enjoying their Spanish life, and soon I recognized Chinatown—hidden behind the train station, tucked behind the city’s glitzy white facades. 

That walk was my first long one in ages, especially after dark. For years, I’d lost the spark to move at night. But something’s shifting and I seem to feel alive again.

By 11 p.m., I was back in my car—still parked for free outside McD’s. 

As I drifted off, I thought: How lucky am I? This place, this weird McDonald’s karma—it runs deep. 

My old coach from the SML days used to help McDonald’s create healthy menu options back in the ’80s. 

I guess that good energy still lingers.

New day Valencia style:

The next morning, I grabbed some clean clothes and headed to the BP station next door—changed, brushed my teeth, freshened up. I remembered seeing another woman doing the same at a gas station when I first got into the country—wrapped in a towel, doing her hair. I’m not alone in this.

After freshening up, I wandered into a nearby cafeteria with a Chinese man behind the counter. I ordered tea, and we exchanged that unspoken nod of familiarity—the kind you only get when you’ve both traveled from the same place you call home. As I waited for my tea to cool, I watched two local Spanish men. One was feeding the slot machines. The other was just enjoying his slow morning. Life unfolds.

After enjoying my tea slowly, I left with a ‘a Luego’ and wandered around in the neighbourhood; I discovered a homeless man tucked into one of the porticos. Again, I felt it—I’m better off than I think. 

Next on my walk, I discovered a deep silence in an old run down house and embraced the silence to cover the ongoing traffic sounds.. yes we HSPers can do that.. 

I dozed a bit when i got back to my car until the day got going. Watching the sun rise between buildings and listening to traffic cops directing the morning rush (because the lights were still glitchy), I remembered the €20 I’d recently added to my digital bank account—just before leaving Alicante. 

Wait! I also had a digital wallet. I wasn’t as broke as I thought! After a couple of failed card tries and some help from the customer service desk, it all worked out. I topped off my gas at BP, WiFi included.

With a tank half full and my spirits rising, I told myself: Time to make a plan. 

Food and Beach: 

By noon, I treated myself to a salad and orange juice from McD’s (no veggie burger yet—Spain isn’t there). I worked online until 1 p.m., talked business with my new partner, and decided: beach time.

When I left, the woman with the turban was still there. The staff clearly knew her and cared for her. 

Is she homeless too? She was also filming for Insta or TikTok. That’s the world now—everything online.

I headed to Valencia’s harbor, energized by the fact I was a bit less broke than I’d thought. 

I found a free parking spot—score! 

Jumping out into heavy winds, and takigna walk or two around the block I discovered quiantly painted houses waiting to excite me forward, and reminding me of Otrobanda, Curacao, a place in development in 2016. 

A thought rose up.. Hmm maybe this is my place to start my development now?  

After another discovery tour of the beach and harbour, enjoying the boats and yachts, having to negate heavy winds, I settled back into the calm of the car.

Not long after, a Dutch family arrived. I could tell right away—they stepped out of the car doing that familiar "alles kan, koffie kan, thee kan, water kan" humor. Classic Dutch. We exchanged smiles, laughs in that instant way only Dutchies can. When the lady asked - typically dutch question: do we have to pay, I replied: No its free, Long live Spain! and grateful she went after the kids towards the beach. 

Long live Apain - I’ve heard people say it.. but its really true, the freedom, the space, the passion. I think its just what I need at this point in my life to get up and refind momentum again after a life in healthcare. 

The night evolved with wifi and music:

At the beach, I stumbled upon a volleyball tournament with an epic DJ spinning 90s bangers. I soaked it all in and eventually settled out of the wind. As I opened my laptop, I noticed the bar across the street had open WiFi. Another win. I had worried about losing signal when leaving McD’s. No need.

That night? You wouldn’t believe it. Parked just across from a live music bar. I wandered in to use the restroom and caught a four-man band just warming up. And wow—they were good.

So my second night in Valencia ended with live music drifting into my car. Okay, maybe some drunk folks spilled out after 1 a.m., but still—a proper experience.

Valencia’s proving to be more than just a stopover. It's turning into an unfolding story. And I’m finding my way back to the happy version of me again.

See you out there. ✨

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🌅 First Days in Valencia – From McD’s to Magic

📍 Arrival & Awakening After an all-night drive from Alicante, I pulled into a Shell gas station for some rest. At dawn, the clerk's arrival and the lights turning on signaled it was time to move.​

🌄 Sunrise in Denia A spontaneous stop in Denia rewarded me with a breathtaking sunrise over the beach.​

🚗 Journey to Valencia Navigating through heavy traffic, I watched my fuel gauge turn yellow. Just in time, a gas station appeared—another reminder that I'm always taken care of.​

🍔 McDonald's: Unexpected Haven My first McDonald's stop was closed, but an Aldi nearby provided Wi-Fi and a plan. Later, I found an open McDonald's that became my workspace and a place of unexpected connections.​

👩‍🦲 A Silent Angel While working, I noticed a woman with a turban and crutches. Her presence was a poignant reminder of resilience. The next day, she guided me to a charging spot—a silent act of kindness.​

🌆 Exploring Valencia An evening stroll revealed Valencia's diverse neighborhoods: Indian bazaars, African vendors, and a hidden Chinatown. It was my first night walk in years, signaling a personal shift.​

🛏️ Rest & Reflection Sleeping in my car outside McDonald's, I felt gratitude. Memories of my coach helping McDonald's introduce salads in the '80s surfaced—positive karma in action.​

🧼 Morning Rituals A visit to the BP station next door allowed me to freshen up. I recalled seeing another woman doing the same, reminding me I'm not alone in this journey.​

🍵 Tea & Observations A nearby cafeteria offered a warm cup of tea and a glimpse into local life: a man at the slot machines and another enjoying a slow morning.​

💡 Realizations Back in the car, I noticed a homeless man in a portico. Counting my blessings, I remembered €20 in my digital wallet. After some troubleshooting, I managed to refuel and felt a renewed sense of security.​

🏖️ Beach Bound Post-lunch at McDonald's, I headed to the beach. The woman with the turban was still there, possibly homeless, yet actively engaging online—a testament to the digital age.​

🇳🇱 Dutch Connections At the harbor, I found free parking and met a Dutch family. Their familiar humor and language brought smiles and a sense of camaraderie.​

🏐 Beach Vibes A beach volleyball tournament with 90s music set the perfect backdrop. Nearby, a bar's open Wi-Fi eased my earlier concerns about connectivity.​

🎶 Serendipitous Sounds That night, I discovered a live music bar across the street. The band's melodies filled the air, making my second night in Valencia unforgettable, despite the late-night revelers.​

😊 Embracing the Journey Valencia is more than a destination; it's a chapter of rediscovery. I'm reconnecting with my joyful self and embracing each moment.​

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See you out there. ✨