An Interview with Aurora – Finding Balance on the Human Towers
In-depth interview series
About you
My name is Aurora and I'm from la terreta (“the land” in Valencian language). [Ed note: Valencian people affectionately and proudly refer to their homeland as la terreta.]
I was born in a village in the L'Horta Sud district, 20 minutes from Valencia, Spain. For work reasons and personal growth I've gone from town to town, but always in the Valencia autonomous community, Castellón, Valencia and Alicante.
My native language is Valencian which I go to (it comes out spontaneously) when I have to express my feelings and emotions. I mean, when I have to express myself from the heart, pure sentiment, or during heated arguments, unfair situations, I can't help myself.
It's difficult to express my innermost feelings in another language.
Tell us about your work
I've worked for 20 years as a social worker. Over the years I have specialized in immigration, refugees and homeless migrants. It’s a totally fascinating job and requires a lot of involvement.
3 years ago, I decided to take a break and I requested a voluntary leave of absence.
This period of time has given me an opportunity to work in other areas, teaching training courses, as a social worker in law carrying out expert family reports, etc.
At the moment I'm a social worker in the Valencian courts mediating between internal and external resources to improve communication as well as responding to any needs that may arise.
You must be realistic, a judicial decision does not necessarily mean the solution to a problem.
How did you get into climbing?
My first contact with climbing was after a dramatic change in my life. After 4 years of living with my partner, I realized that this wasn't the life I wanted and I left everything, my home, partner and job. I returned to my village looking for my roots, reconnecting with old friends. Then, well, I began to sign up for everything, and amongst the million things I focused on during that period, I was lucky enough to meet my great friend and fellow climber, Dani, who introduced me to climbing and made me passionate about it. For years we went out climbing every week overcoming fears and insecurities.
I abandoned climbing for a few years, finding myself without a climbing partner after Dani had a serious accident. After more than a year spent recovering post surgery, I planted the idea of returning to climbing, but he resigned to the fact that another accident and more screws in his body was not feasible, and he would be risking a lot. So I focused on the Muixeranga (human towers).
I've been climbing on and off over the last few years, but I've taken it up again seriously since returning to Valencia about a year ago.
Your Favorite Climbing Areas
It's difficult to choose a place to climb, each place I've climbed has something special according to my shared and lived experience.
But if I had to name one place that I absolutely hate – the crag known as Las Ruinas (The Ruins) in Gestalgar. My experience there was not one of challenge but more of helplessness. I trusted my climbing partner Guille and went for a climb with explosive overhanging starts, a level too difficult than what I normally could handle. One day I'll have to try again… one day.
One thing that you want people to know about Valencia
The city? You can't explain a city. You live it and roam around it. Has it ever occurred to you that each time you go to a city it transmits a different sensation? That's what I mean. I would just say that you try to get to know its people and culture. If you're an open minded and curious person, you won't have any problems having a conversation with a native. We're very open and chatty. Make the first move and go with the flow. I can tell you that you won't know where you'll end the day.
If I had to give a suggestion, without falling into the tourist trap, I would suggest that you wander around the most authentic neighborhoods such as Benimaclet and Cabanyal during the day, to mix with the locals; and ask about the most active associations or collectives to see if there's some event going on at the moment. Take a walk in the Alboraya huerta (farmlands on the outskirts of Valencia).
Ahh and a suggestion for restless climbers, contact the muixeranga (human towers) groups and go see a rehearsal. Apart from getting to know the culture from its roots and the political-social conflict, you'll climb on bodies, work on your balance, agility and strength… what an experience!
One lesson you have learned on your journey so far
Ouch! There are many things to learn at the moment. Bloody hell!!! Is this a trick question? Hahaha, I’ll focus on climbing.
Mainly climbing has made me more aware of listening and paying attention to living my life more fully.
Listening to my body, listening to my emotional state and reaction, listening to my mind and the importance of listening to my climbing buddy. Altogether they’re tools to face any challenge.
I call it listening, others define it as being in the present moment, in the now… and talking of the present, when are we going out climbing?
