La Tomatina After Party in Valencia, Spain

Paint the town red.

The La Tomatina after party in Valencia, Spain.

Sometimes you have no intention of seeing someone again. Because you think they have to be too young. Because you think the whole thing is ridiculous. Because, frankly, you still think too much. And when he kisses you goodbye and asks if you want to meet at a party later that night you say “maybe” with no intention of actually making it there.

And so you make other plans. Like to go out with Jaime and Darren, which means you will probably end up going to a gay bar.

But sometimes you go out and over a cheap menu del dia one of them pulls out a flyer for the same party and you mention that the guy said he’d be there. So your friends decide that you have to go.

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And so you find yourself on the steps of a museum, buying drink tickets for vodka limons, and roboting to a DJ.

La Tomatina after party in Valencia, Spain

And sometimes you look around for him. And your friends look too, despite no one knowing what he looks like. And you think you might see him a couple of times but aren’t sure because last time you saw him he was dripping wet with tomato.

La Tomatina after party in Valencia, Spain

And so you finally lean over to Jaime and say “I think that’s him.”

Though sometimes you’re still your shy self and so you send your friend over to ask if he’s who you think he is.

La Tomatina after party in Valencia, Spain

And so he comes over.

And sometimes you dance. And kiss.

La Tomatina after party in Valencia, Spain

And sometimes he tells you that he likes your smile. And, sometimes he tells you that he likes your spirit. Which may be the best compliment in the world.

And sometimes you have a few drinks.

And sometimes you forget about your friends and end up on the dance floor. And then in a cab.

And sometimes…

Hi, I'm Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the kitten. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket to Europe, and traveled for three years. Now I'm back in Chicago, decorating my apartment in all the teal, petting my cats, and planning my next adventure.

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8 Comments
  • Jaime
    September 7, 2011at10:55 am

    OMG I LOVE HOW YOU WROTE THIS!!! Ummm I wanna know where are the other pics from your paparazzi?

  • Michelle
    September 7, 2011at11:24 am

    I echo your friend Jaime. Talk about building up anticipation! Looks like you’re seizing every opportunity and finally cathing a stride on your trip 🙂 Happy to read that you’re enjoying yourself. Stay safe!

  • Darren
    September 7, 2011at12:08 pm

    Jaime said it best! I LOOOOVE the way you wrote this… sooo funny. ‘And sometimes you leave said party and don’t tell your friends… and your friends walk around searching for you thinking… Val’s not that kind of girl’. Great memories all around…

  • Amber, theAmberShow
    September 7, 2011at4:49 pm

    Yaaaayyyyyy!

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