Graham is looking it up in our map book - we are about 130 km from you.

Rosemary

That's about 82 miles, not too far away really. Here in Castalla (we live on an urbanisation outside the town) the people are friendly but it is very frustrating not being able to converse as we are not proficient enough with Spanish to hold a conversation. But when I have learned enough they won't be able to shut me up

[Sorry to be boring but it is good to be part of the community in quiet times but it is wonderful when the place buzzes too.]


Rosemary,
It's really great to see your photos and to hear all about what's happening in your town
I'm sure there are lots of people who are equally interested; especially those who don't yet know what their new life in Spain might entail.
Your posts are very informative; and always give an excellent flavour of the atmosphere and the enjoyment that you get from taking part.
Please keep posting!


That little boy in the first photo is so cute!
The Bolivians are very distinctive too, aren't they? (Our village has a link to the capital of Bolivia, so we have exchange visits too)

Now then, Mrs Oddity..................is that a photo of you in the green, that you've conveniently neglected to point out to us; your faithful public???
Come on, spill the beans! We've seen Graham in one procession, so you must own up whether that's you or not. The truth will out!

There sounds like there's so much going on in your town this weekend.
How on earth are you going to get enough sleep to keep going through all that lot!?
It's a good job that enthusiasm creates a natural "high", isn't it?
Are you going to the dinner in the town hall tonight?

Everything sounds incredibly noisy!!
I can tell you from personal experience, that living in the town square is NOT much fun at fiesta time!!
The fireworks sound like they're going to be well worth watching, and the procession will be lovely, I'm sure.

Excuse my ignorance, but what are mascaletes?
Are they those awful firecracker things that make my poor dog jump out of her skin, and bark!?
We won't expect to see too much of you on here for the next couple of days, as no doubt you'll just be catching up on sleep as and when you can!

Have fun, and tell us more soon!
Love Sam x

Hi Sam

Yes you sussed me out, I thought I might get away with it and not have to admit that it was me in the photo. The mascaletes (think I am spelling it wrong) are the rounds and rounds off bangers and rockets that are dead noisy and are particularly popular in the Valencian region.

Had two hours of so called sleep this afternoon and now have to get ready for tonights enjoyment.

Rosemary

How can it be boring for all of us who are obsessed with everything Spanish!!

Well, it's very nice to see you, Rosemary

Have a lovely time tonight xx

We have had an absolutely wonderful evening. The procession was at 8p.m. and went on for over an hour whilst the people dressed in their finery wove their way through the streets to the church. After a short service they walked through the streets again accompanied by the town band until they got to the place where the fireworks were to be ignited. We thought that the firework display was excellent last year and on other occasions but this display was amazing. As we watch it from our roof terrace and they are let off about 200 metres away it really felt as though they were coming straight at us and also that it was our own personal display.

Just before the display our door bell rang and we thought that it was the people who had arranged for us to have the meal in the town hall square but it was a stranger who said that our friends were delayed but to go to the top end of the square and he would wave to us and guide us to our table. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.

Went along at 10.30p.m and true to his word the man waved to us and beckoned us over, all the people introduced themselves. The woman sitting next to me lives in Valencia and she talked clearly and explained about what it is like to live in the city of Valencia and told us that when it is the Fallas we must join the rest of the group and visit.

All the children were in fancy dress, the waiters were dressed as Snow White and the waitresses were dressed as hula dancers. As time passed the teenagers began to appear dressed up too, the vast majority of the males were in female costumes and very fetching they looked too. We were surprised that there did not appear to be any of the younger people who were not dressed up, it is impossible to describe the sights we saw.

The band was good and played a good mixture of latino dances, traditional and rock. Just about everyone danced and I must admit that I have never seen so many pot bellied men dragging their wives up to do the samba.

When we left at 3.30 a.m. the band was still playing and we were told that there is a mobile disco starting at 5 a.m. in the main street. It is a good job that we did not leave the town tonight as we would never have been able to get back to our street as the vast majority of the streets were closed for the celebrations.

So those of you in the UK planning to come to Spain for the laid back, restful life had better realise that to live in Spain actually takes more stamina than living in UK. So, you better start a fitness regime that means that you can go for several days with little or no sleep and also take dancing lessons with your Spanish lessons or you will not be able to keep up.

Photo's tomorrow (oops had to edit immediately because it should say later today) because it is too late (or early) now to start messing around with them.

Rosemary and Graham

As you can see from the photo's a good time was had by one and all. It was difficult to take many as there were just too many people in the dance area but we managed to get some when we went for a walk in the interval at 2.30 a.m.

Sorry submitted without photo's so read the next post.

As you can see from the photo's a good time was had by one and all. It was difficult to take many photo's as there were just too many people in the dance area but we managed to get some when we went for a walk in the interval at 2.30 a.m.

You can also see we have no fears of crime here when we have such frightening Guardia Civil to protect us. The young men, sorry young girls in the photo are the nephews of one of our group. Unfortunately the fetching butterfly in the second photo never turned around when the camera was poised but take my word for it he really was a sight.

Looks like all were having a great time...I particularly like the last photo...who IS that hunk on the right?????

Believe me those two were the classier ones. Many had huge Madonna conical boobs, fishnet tights, heavy make-up etc.

Rosemary

Thanks for making the effort: the photos are great. I always think of you now when I am on the A7 passing your bit of Spain - with it being so clearly marked.

Actually called into a cafe on the 332 just before I left for UK. It was in Favera(sp) - had the usual Menu midday fare - all very tasty and value for money.

We went to a nearby town last night for a light hearted procession that was to celebrate 'rice', it was excellent but neither of us took a camera unfortunately - I know what idiots before everyone says it. Also unfortunatley we decided to have a chinese meal after the procession and whilst we were eating it we could hear what sounded like a great firework display so we were disappointed to miss that, the meal was good though.

Rosemary

Sounds like a real contrast from your previous life.

Not to worry Rosemary, you have already excelled yourself with photos and descriptions I would think you are all processioned out now and in need of a good rest