Letsgoloolala with Lily Anne
Time to go local
The area I have in mind includes Aldaia and Alaquas both easily accessible on foot and then Quart de Poblet Torrente and Manises accessible by the yellow buses which I use almost daily en route to the metro
First stop is to Mrs Sarah in Cambridge school on the Alaquas side of Aldaia. Sarah is a lady, a very gracious lady, now in her 70’s.She is still involved in a business she began as a young woman. The school boasts a homely environment with her son Raúl at the helm. I have a photo to hand of two of her former students, one being Vicente, the same Vicente who is currently enjoying life as house husband in Kilkenny while Gabrielle pursues her career in architecture. I think this is the correct diplomatic move. We have things to chat about as she reaches for her handbag and buys a copy.
Before continuing on the local trail I divert to the city in an attempt to capture the Sunday strollers starting with the central market area of Valencia. I think the street stalls may offer a suitable outlet. The first stall I approach is a haven for stamp collectors so the philatilists politely point in the direction of the book sellers. Clearly none of the street merchants are interested in selling my book so I perch on a stool at the side entrance to an Irish bar and display my wares semi discreetly with a pint of Ladrones de Manzana on my table. I am selling in sunshine, why put yourself in the shade when you want to be seen? This doesn’t work so I take myself off to Malvarossa, a very extensive beach that was been the venue for a display of all sorts of cometas (kites) on my first day In Valencia. I learned that this was not an every weekend thing but an annual event not to be missed. On this Sunday I sit in front of the expensive hotel Las Arenas with my sign leaning on the handle of my travel case. I get a lovely smile from one lady but again no sales of any kind.
Staying local I have a list of escuelas de inglés I visit two escuelas in Aldaia, one run by a Dubliner called Ray Peat, Thinking in English, and then the Centre of European studies whose advert covers a garage door I pass on a daily basis. In Alaquas there are four more escuelas de inglés or Schools of English all within spitting distance of each other. Everyone is friendly. There is a noticeable Irish connection in some even though union jacks and red letter post boxes seem to be order of the day. The most colourful is undoubtedly Happy Days run by the effervescent Tamsin and her Irish colleague Niall who could be mistaken for comic tv presenters on something like Zig and Zag.
On turning back towards Aldaia I meet one of my class mates and am introduced to her sister. An hour later I am speaking randomly with a friend of Tasmin while waiting for the next metro. I like this developing sense of familiarity.
Public libraries are my next target.
Besides introducing myself, I always take along my correspondence. It becomes evident quite quickly that public libraries don’t buy directly from the author but I leave the managers in no doubt about availability of books in local bookshops. I start with Aldaia, and Alaquas and then take the metro to Quart de Poblet and on to Torrente and Manises by bus. I make a final round up tour that includes the biggest public library in Valencia and the only Escuela publico de Idiomas in Valencia. I am truly charmed by the warm welcome I receive in all these places. Babel bookstore is right next door to Escuela publico de idiomas with a profusion of books in various languages suited to an eager student population of mixed ages and nationalities. That’s where I meet Alice. I can’t resist asking her has she ever heard the song by Smokie Living next door to Alice. I wonder to myself if the song is known to any of those students working diligently next door to Alice.