Vida En El Valle Blogs: The Latin voice of the central valley.

Three months ago today, I posted a list of things I’d learned since moving to Fresno. I’ve now been in Fresno for six months, and it’s time to update that list!

1. I’ve learned that a seasoned Valley reporter – and smart Valley residents in general – wear more clothing, and not less, when spending any length of time under the blazing Central California sun. (Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way, when I showed up at UC Merced graduation in a skimpy tank top and breezy skirt. All the other reporters wore long-sleeved shirts and pants.)
2. I’ve learned that paletas (Mexican fruit popsicles, preferably from La Reina de Michoacan) and ice cream (Superior Dairy in Hanford, perhaps?) are also a great way to beat the heat. (Okay, I’ve always had a thing for ice cream, but being in the Valley heat definitely gives me an excuse to eat more of it!)
3. I’ve learned that when the Valley’s not sweltering hot, it’s got a couple other weather tricks up its sleeve. In the past three months, I’ve covered the March for Water during a dust storm, an immigration march in a downpour, and a graduation ceremony that was evacuated due to a severe thunderstorm warning.
4. I’ve learned that weather doesn’t stop Valley residents – people here are too resilient! Valley residents marched through the dust and rain, they attend rallies at noon in the blazing sun, and they re-do graduation ceremonies. In three more months, I hope to say that I’ve become just as resilient.
5. I’ve been to Firebaugh so many times, I have a favorite restaurant there. I’ve been to Mendota so many times, I have friends there. (But I admit: I haven’t learned to drive to either place without my GPS.)

I can’t wait to see what I’ve learned after nine months in Fresno! (That’s assuming I survive this summer!)