Day 2, MCMP Conference - Valencia

The # 41 bus doesn't appear to be running so I have to take a taxi to the University again. First two presentations are very technical but after that we get into more poster presentations, including mine and Veronica's. The conservators are a different breed from the creators of contemporary murals, and their approach is quite clinical and set out according to a code of ethics that is sometimes at odds with the current practice of mural making. This makes for a lively debate during the final panel discussion. It gets quite heated when it comes to the role of the artist in the practice of restoration. At the conclusion, Will Shank, pronounces it a success and was pleased to hear this kind of discussion taking place. A final round of group photos and we roll up our posters and say our farewells. Its a long walk before Veronica and I can find a bus back to the centre - its Saturday, no classes at the University so I guess the busses skip that part of town.
After a good lunch, we say adios to Veronica for now, but will be visiting her in Vitoria on our motorcycle tour.

Peter has had a chance to see the market, which I missed because it closes at 2:30.

On our ramblings around the old city in the afternoon, we take a tour of the Ceramic Museum and stumble upon an Octoberfest  Beer Garden set up in the bull ring - which is located right beside the rather lovely old train station.

Valencia is a lovely walkable city so we continue walking, down to the popular route of the Rio Truria where there are people busy with all kinds of activities; cycling, jogging, playing, lazing, people watching.

Eventually we find ourselves at the City of Arts and Sciences which Peter has seen a couple of times already, but he is pleased to show me the structures designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. I am really gald I didn't miss this. Its all a little outlandish and very grand. There is apparently a lot of controversy about the amount of funding and where and how it was spent. But that's local politics and we're just here to admire and take lots more pictures.