Totally Topless Tanlines

Well it seems that out last angst-ridden post got some attention, so thanks to those who sent a message back! On that note, we'll provide a more positive and detailed update on our experiences living on the sun.

Took the late train out of Seville after touring around and finding and tapas places that were open on Sundays. Some good finds (spicy potatoes, tuna steak with peppers, potato and prawn salad, etc) and in line with our alcohol marketing theme, some delicious Cruzcampo cervezas - the beer of Spanish champions since 1904.

Turns out that we'd accidentally booked first class tickets for the evening train to Valencia. Had to go through security, get a patdown from the bouncer, meet the DJ, and then we boarded the train, which had rich, mahogany walls, and leather-bound seats. We appeared to be the only tank-topped patrons aboard. Didn't get kicked out of our seats, so did something right!

We enjoyed some more Cruzcampo aboard the cafeteria car, where a small Spanish child kept pointing at Graham saying, "Rojo , rojo". The father smiled and said in english, "he likes your cap". Now, I don't know a lot of Spanish, but I'm pretty sure the boy was pointing and saying "ginger, ginger", as if he was seeing an extinct species. "Extinct, no. Precious, yes" whispered Graham.

Arrived in a sweltering Valencia around 10:30pm. Very impressive city and the 3rd largest in Espana. Checked in right downtown at Hostal Venezia and headed out for dinner. Food is easily 3x more expensive (than Seville) in the touristy quarter but enjoyed some shrimps in a vat of oil and garlic. Came back to find that our room had heated up nicely to about 50'C (no joke) and after trying to convince ourselves that we were being soft, called down to the front desk. Got a new room at 1am and the AC worked just fine. Crisis averted.

Awoke shivering in 16'C air, and then headed to the Mercato Central for some meat, fruit, pastry and caffeine for breakfast. Huge flea/farmers market right in town where Jess pondered purchasing her first pigs feet or goose with head intact... Figured it wouldn't fit in luggage so she held off. 

Then we made the bright decision to get out of the middle of the city where it was already 39'C at 11am and head to the beach. The topless beach. Boing! We rented an umbrella and shade bed to sit and enjoy the Mediterranean. Graham lost his sunglasses to the sea so it made it very difficult to covertly stare at all the women around him. One of the gyspy's obviously saw him in crisis and quickly came over to sell him 10euro oakleys. Graham haggled him down to 4euros and then was able to creep again... With even darker lenses? Hopefully these took the attention away from Graham's helmetcam (set up to take time lapse photos, thanks to Kyle and Kathy Jordan).

We thought that the Portuguese sunscreen we bought would have been helpful for protecting us from the sun. Maybe that's a poor assumption on our part, because Graham looks like a piece of medium rare roast beef today, and Jess looks Portuguese with a large patch of Sriracha on her back. Carrying the packs this morning was a bit of a dance, to say the least.

Wound things down with an evening visit to the restaurant district and enjoyed some paella and wine. More meat and pastry for breakfast to satisfy The Chins. 

Now sitting in poverty- I mean second class on the train to Barcelona. All out of sunscreen so we'll just see how bad the sun could really be.

Hasta luego!

Gingerbeef + Jessradish 

***Edited per Todd's request for risqué topless photos. These were the best ones that I saw all day: