It’s not Elkins Park, said Bob.
On our first foray into the streets of Valencia.
Our first night here.
Through la Plaza de la Reina.
Into the snaking alleys of the old city.
Near the Cathedral.
Past Christmas markets.
Streets lit up like jewels.
Displays of the three kings.
Offering gifts to baby Jesus.
Past palm and orange trees.
Shops selling turrones, horchatas.
Roscones de Reyes.
Not only was it not Elkins Park.
Christmas hadn’t ended.
Three Kings Day, just ahead.
Holidays extended!
Lynn Benjamin
January 9, 2024
Turrones: Spanish almond candies of Moorish origin. They are sweet, made with wildflower honey and can be smooth and soft, or harder like nougat.
Horchatas: Beverages made with sweetened tiger nuts (chufas, a nutlike tuber)
Roscones de Reyes: Round Christmas cakes made with dried fruits, sometimes filled with cream. They usually contain a hidden dried bean for luck and a figurine of the baby Jesus. They are eaten especially on the 6th of January to celebrate Three Kings Day.
