Journaling:
Our Sunday excursion was one I had been looking forward to all week: we were going to get the real lesson in making paella! We took a bus through Valencia and out to Parc Natural de l'Albufera, a natural area outside the city which includes a large fresh-water lagoon. We passed fields of rice that had been recently harvested, and entered the park over a couple one-lane bridges that seemed too small for the bus.

Arriving at the El Redolí restaurant, got into our "canoe" for a trip around the lagoon. We saw birds, fish, and the views across the water. It was relaxing. When we returned to El Redolí it was time to make paella. The cook escorted us into her big kitchen, where she has paella pans of all sizes, and 18 places on the hearth for wood fires. She built a fire, explained the ingredients that were laid out, then had us take turns with various steps: browning the chicken, stirring in the rice, etc.

While we waited for the rice to cook, we were served wine and tapas, and enjoyed talking to each other and our guide. The paella came out, perfectly cooked in a huge pan. Delicious!