To Murcia? Why would you want to go to Murcia?

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I have decided to extend on my previous experience as the 7 negative votes have served me as a warning.

Let's start at the beginning: I arrived in Murcia 14 years ago. I was quietly living in Barcelona with my family, my friends and my high level of an Italian-French-Spanish medley also known as Catalan, when I had to go to Murcia for reasons to do with family... My reaction was not a satisfied one. A tremendous depression entered me. 'To Murcia? What have I missed in Murcia? There are only oranges and people dressed up in strange costumes! ' Surely, my attitude would be the attitude of many Spanish citizens who have never been here.

As many of you will have deduced from my rating... Murcia is a city which I love, it's the city in which I want to live in the future and it's felt like 'my city' for many years now. Because of my initial foreign condition, I am taking the liberty to give it the maximum rating. After this initial 'injection' of Murcianity without compassion, I will try to explain in general paragraphs, the reasoning behind this urban orgasm.

Architecture and Landscapes

More than once I've heard, 'It's just that Murcia only had the cathedral' - A certain affirmation if you're a country bumpkin short of arguments. The landscape is the usual for a relatively dry Mediterranean climate - a very rich diversity of flowers and animals (be careful, let no-one confuse this with abundance) with natural parks really near by like Sierra Espuña and El Valle; each with their own individual characteristics and both worthy of being visited.

Sierra Espuña

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Regarding the architecture and monuments

Murcia is a city where it's past Muslim and medieval kingdoms are felt. You can relive Murcia's ancient Muslim kingdom (that the city originated from), as well as it's medieval past in many monuments - some unknown to even the Murcians themselves. Of Murcia's ancient Muslim kingdom, I emphasize: the Arab baths (that a kiss-arse-Franco supporter mayor destroyed to make the Gran Vía), the Monteagudo Castle which has been standing since 'the wolf king' (to those who are interested in the story of this wolf man king, read it. It's very interesting), the Santa Clara monastery (which was built under a mosque) and strolling through it's characteristic streets of silver and second hand shops...

The Monteagudo Castle

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In the Murcia after the seventeenth century (the fruit of the bourgeoisie of that time), I emphasize the town hall itself, the mercado de Verónicas (a market), the Roman theatre, the episcopal palace and most of all... Murcia's casino. Not only it's exterior; in it's interior; it's incredible dance room, tea room and Arab patio inspired by the royal halls of La Alhambra and by the royal Alcázares de Sevilla. The King of Spain gave it the title of 'Casino Real' a few months ago. A special mention is the cathedral, but well, you'll surely easily find the information.

The 'Casino Real'

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Episcopal Palace

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The Cathedral

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The orchard is a monument in itself. It's one of the 4 great European orchards. The Arabic elements which have remained such as ditches, irrigation systems and water wheels would have to be in a museum and should be conserved.

Leisure and free time

Which translates to : 'Places to get drunk and whatever comes up' in Erasmus language.

I will divide them up in accordance to 4 levels. According to how you identify yourself with one or another, in any of the following affirmations:

Level 0: 'I am a peaceful type (or hippy) and amongst joint after joint, I like to drink somewhat during the night'.

Well then kid, you should have stayed in your town! No, seriously, your type of place is the Mariano Rojas: quiet atmosphere where it doesn't cost much to drink, without many intentions of lengthening the night out. Anyone can enter too - as much the type with the pink tracksuit with heels, to the type with loose trousers, ex-convict style.

Level 1: 'I want to go out although I'm not sure on what I want to do. I need somewhere to put me in the mood. '

In this case, your place is in 'las tascas' - An unmistakable area, full of establishments of around 100-150m2 where you can start getting drunk. It's surely the first thing they taught you as soon as you arrived in Murcia. There are many establishments, some self named 'Erasmus bars' such as Badulake and other more bars 'not typical of Murcia'. You only have to stroll around to see them. You can end the party in any of them and you don't usually pay entry.

Author's note: In this commentary, I have dedicated my loyalty to the bar mentioned previously. I expect the consequent reward from any representative in the establishment, in the form of alcohol.

Level 2: 'I want a party, I am up for it and I want to go somewhere before the madness begins'.

Run! Two streets away from the tascas, there are Boutique and Dance! - Bars which have longer opening hours, are bigger and have a disco, disco like atmosphere. It's 12 euros entry on Saturdays, otherwise I'm remembering it wrong. What's more, you have the right route to be drunk in the streets so that nobody forgets the state you're in. Forget about wearing trainers. You have to go more or less dressed up, although this usually translates to: wear black shoes.

Level 3: 'I am steaming enough to stay out partying until all hours and I don't mind walking'.

Well bring cooler clothes, your wallet with several blue notes and... excellent. It's an area somewhat further out of the centre, at around a 20 minute walk from the tascas. You can get a taxi and convince some Spanish type with a car (like me). You nearly always have to pay entry. It's more likely that they'll stop you from entering doing one handed handstands than without black shoes (I'm speaking for the men's case, evidently).

Climate

Hot. If you're lucky you can see up to 8º on the thermometer during Winter.

Prices

Cheap compared to any country in Western Europe.

Transport

Well if walking is considered a transport very well, otherwise... Shit on a stick. Latbus only serves to go to Espinardo on an initial touristic tour. I've not caught a bus in years but they haven't changed... Not very frequent, delays (mainly because the driver collects the tickets) and misinformation. With the new 19km tram line, I hope the situation somewhat changes, at least for the north of the city.

Conclusion

Murcia is a medium sized city with around 430, 000 inhabitants although it's very spaced out and ideal for doing an Erasmus. It has all the necessary services in a manageable city. You often see Erasmus; every night or just walking around the centre, unlike in the other big cities. What's more, the living costs are low.

I am achieved my goal of making myself sleepy after going out one Tuesday...

I'm going to sleep. A good Erasmus to all!