May 22, 2019 - Jacob Bagadiong

We’re in the endgame now. We have (including today) four more full days in Valencia, before we leave our home (stays) for our homes. While this trip can be taxing, it has been a worthwhile experience. That said, there was only one item on the docket today: La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (CAC). Considering that it can take as long as forty minutes for me to get to the University or the ISA office, even by bus, it was nice to save those bus swipes and only be a ten-minute walk away for once. My roommate and I still managed to show up three minutes late. Regardless, we started our visit with a showing of Backyard Wilderness, an IMAX film. It centered around a house. Literally. It focused on the hidden interactions of wildlife over the course of a year, that takes place right outside the home. I enjoyed the film thoroughly, as it managed to tell stories of different animals. As someone who will spend most of his career working behind a computer screen, it can be easy to be sucked into the digital world. Electronic devices are a major time-consuming and prevent me from experiencing the natural world. It builds off our visit to the farm yesterday, when Toni Montoliu discussed how the world is changing too fast for our own good. Despite being partially a computer science major, I see where he is coming from, and today’s film reinforced that idea. Technology is advancing the world at a rapid pace, and I should appreciate the natural world.

A seal taking in the bright sun.

Speaking of the natural world, after the IMAX showing, we headed over the aquarium. As someone who generally enjoys marine life, it was refreshing to look at the different animals that I love. From the penguins to the seals to the dolphins, it was awesome. Sure, these are animals that are located at zoos and aquariums in the states, but it is always enjoyable to see these animals again. It was refreshing. And I liked how the aquarium furthered their point about conservation through their exhibits. They reinforced the ideas of saving water and electricity wherever possible. As someone who is concerned with the state of the environment, it was encouraging to see how well conservation is infused within the culture here. I feel that the US has made a lot of progress in terms of conservation but can strive to do better.

Me hanging with the sharks.

 All-in-all, however, today was a beneficial experience. I write this after taking too long of a nap, but I do feel refreshed to attack these last three days. I have enjoyed my time here in Spain, and while the Sun will set on our experience soon, we will make the most of what light we have left.

A turtle retreating into its shell.