Spain's Traditional Festivals.

My first trip to Europe was in 2008. I can prove that I was in London, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, Florence, Venice... because I have photos of me in front of all the major attractions. "I was here." The fact that I had a personal photo that I took, of whatever monument it was, just wasn't enough. 

Well, fast-forward to 2014. My photography outlook has changed. I'd rather take an incredible shot that I could put on a wall someday. Framed. One that becomes a conversational piece when friends come over. "Yeah, I took that when I was in Venice." "This is a beautiful monastery in Bulgaria that we took a taxi to... 7 hours by taxi and we only had to pay 60 euro!" That's my new outlook. It's not bragging. It's about the experience of having been THERE. 

Travel: the only thing you buy, that makes you richer.

The longer I spend time in Europe, the more I want to explore it's hidden gems. I've seen the big picture. Now, I want to understand the little pieces that make it a whole. I want to take in everything I can, even if it's a rushed trip I have to fit into a weekend. Even a small taste of a place can help you understand it -- and most likely it will leave you wanting more.

Tradition. Something that we see in America in family recipes, high school rivalry, and holidays. While tradition in Spain is also based on food culture and holidays, it's the tiny town festivals that really captivate me. 

Some Spanish festivals would be banned in the USA. Like, where would it be justified to throw turnips at someone? Where would it be acceptable to hit people with burning brooms? Where do you find an old medieval town holding a medieval festival with costumes, rides and food to match - and we'll throw in a castle too? Where do you find people running with bulls? Spain is different.

I'm lucky to have been able to experience these cool traditional festivals! 

JARRAMPLAS: A traditional turnip throwing festival.

Holy turnips!

Look at the turnips flying through the air!!

You're probably thinking that it's a prison sentence to have to be inside the suit. But, people actually sign up for this years in advance. They say the list is full until 2030... you must also be from the village of Piornal to have the priviledge to be the Jarramplas, the man inside the suit. While turnips are thrown at the Jarramplas, depending on where you're standing could mean a turnip is coming toward you! You have to be on-guard at all times as the Jarramplas quickly changes directions, people go scattering and the turnips come from every direction! 

I was so full of energy to be there - and to be in the front - getting a wonderful view of everything. I didn't get hurt by any turnips, but a few brushed by legs. The whole town smelled of turnips... there was turnip mush everywhere. It was definitely an adventure and I'm so happy to have been a part of this year's festival.  

More info here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2265894/Is-Spains-weirdest-festival-Hundreds-hurl-TURNIPS-man-streets.html

This was just crazy! I'll probably never see anything like it again!

Turnips as big as our faces! Me - Rachel - Mamen

MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: Let's play dress up in Oropesa de Toledo!

Just this past weekend, in the neighbor community, Castilla la Mancha, I was able to experience my first Medieval festival in an old Medieval city! While I felt like I was on the set of Tristan and Isolde or Role Models, it was really a cool experience. People were fully dressed up - swords, armor, crowns, masks, etc. I mean, there were camel rides. An Arabic zoco complete with kebabs and falafel. Headbands to make you look like a woman from the times. Roasting pigs and sausages that filled the air with "ganas de comer" right then! And, there were crepes which had absolutely nothing to do with Medieval times but they were so good. 

Not to mention, Oropesa de Toledo is a fantastic little city. I can't believe I had never been there... it's just 15 minutes away from Navalmoral. Well, I'm glad I went and what great timing to see it as it was in its past! Three cheers for Oropesa's Medieval Festival! Ole! 

Streets lined with banners and people in costume!

Camel rides, people suntanning, a castle...

What's for lunch? It was such a beautiful day!

Watch out!

LOS ESCOBAZOS: A Fiery Festival in Jarandilla de la Vera!

This festival takes place in early December. I went during my first year in Spain when I taught in Jarandilla. It's too good to leave out of the blog post... 

But, basically, kids are taught to play with fire in Jarandilla. They are taught to hit people with their burning broom (waist down) - and when you are a teacher, you can only imagine your chances of being hit increase drastically. I know from experience. 

While singing traditional songs, people march through the streets lighting bonfires in the plazas until they reach the final plaza next to a small church. The final fire's flames actually surpass the church! I don't think anyone was nervous but me... I was so scared the town was going to catch fire - and/or myself. But, clearly, I've survived to talk about it!

Throwback photos to my experience at los Escobazos! 

Grab your broom...

Fire taller than the church. I saw this going wrong in so many ways...

San Fermin: Running of the Bulls!

When people think of Spain, I think it's a given that they think of flamenco dancers... Siesta & Fiesta. And, of course, the most typical: BULLS. The famous party of "Running of the Bulls", where crazy, drunk people run in front of bulls down the narrow streets of Pamplona, Spain.

I went in 2012 with my friend Zach. Wine festival. Red & White clothes. Sleeping in a park. No showers. Thousands of people... sleeping everywhere. Crowded buses. The whole lot. I can happily say: Been there; Done that. Would I repeat... maybe....!?!

The whole "running of the bulls" part lasts literally just a few minutes, once a day for six days. If you're not running with the bulls, you're packing behind 6 foot tall, wooden barricades, double stacked... with 100,000s of people... but still, it's tradition and I again, I was happy to be part of it! 

Throwback photos to 2012: Running of the Bulls!

Lucky are those who have friends with balconies!

Sleep where you can... park or bus station... your call. Want privacy? Cover your face with your scarf.

Spain is different. Long live traditional festivals.
Here's to discovering more of Spain's uniqueness...
and photographing more conversational pieces.
What will I experience next?

10 Cities in 10 Days.

After getting moved to Extremadura, the next adventure was set to begin. 10 Cities in 10 Days. While we hadn't planned anything in advance, we had a plan in mind and we set off! 

Zach (a friend from Missouri) and I had decided to travel together... visiting his old friends/roommate in Madrid, finally visiting Asturias for me (and him) to make me happy, returning to Running of the Bulls (for him) and my first time seeing the toros, going to Barcelona (for him) to make him happy and my third visit to the wonderful city & to visit two friends of mine who live/are from there, and ending in Madrid with his friends again to do some day trips and catching up time!

In the end...

Madrid. Oviedo. Gijon (beach day!). San Sebastian (changing buses), Pamplona. Zaragoza (changing buses). Barcelona. Madrid. Avila. El Escorial. Ten cities in ten days. Wow, we were busy! 

Madrid's Barajas Airport, where I spent 5 hours waiting for Zach... delayed flights stink! I ended up buying a book to pass the time. I wrote some blogs. I took a siesta. This was my "view"...

After Zach arrived, we went for a relaxing day in the park; we had some refreshing drinks and enjoyed the Spanish sun. After, we headed to Augustin's flat (Zach's old roommate) where we were staying. After a tasty Mexican dinner and some Coronitas, we called it a night!

Day two was spent with Rocio, Zach's friend (and now mine!), visiting the Royal Palace and main historical buildings in the center of Madrid. Later in the day we visited the Residencia de Estudiantes, where many famous men came together and studied. This was Zach's fave.

Walking from the Residencia to Parque Retiro to meet up with Gonzalo, Rocio's boyfriend and another of Zach's friends, we stopped by the United States Embassy! Happy 4th of July!!!!

On Day 3, we made our way from Madrid to Oviedo, Asturias, in Northern Spain. I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful Oviedo was! Wow! Many of my Westminster friends have studied abroad in Oviedo, and I was happy to finally see it for myself!

For lucnh, we had fabada, arroz con leche, and Asturian sidra! You have to pour it over your head into the glass. I was happy the waiter poured it for us, because I've tried to do it before, and more ended up on my feet than in the cup!

Day 4: Beach day in Gijon!!! Unfortunately, the tied was rising...and rising...
and we were kicked off the beach just after a few hours. But we enjoyed a nice bocadillo at the beach and enjoyed the Spanish sun for a little while before we were forced to leave!

Gijon, a coastal beach town in Asturias, is absolutely lovely! Check out that sky over the port! After the beach was a no-go, we spent time exploring other places of Gijon before heading back to Oviedo.

Day 5: Due to last minute plans and a lack of busses/trains/transportation in general to get to Pamplona, we had to pay extra to go on the express bus to San Sebastian, then a second bus to Pamplona. But, the express bus was the coolest bus EVER. Seats with fold out foot rests (real ones, none of those that flip out from the seat in front of you), individual TVs, free water, free sandwiches and sodas for our dinner snack, a bus attendant, and free gifts when you arrived to your stop: little magnetic people clips that stick together and form a piece of "art". It was the fastest, most comfortable 5 hour bus ride: EVER!

The Picos de Europa around us were so breathtaking! I think Northern Spain has some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. Due to window glares and constant tunnels, I couldn't get too great of photos in the really pretty places, so this will have to do! But, still, look at those mountains!

Later on Day 5, after a stop in San Sebastian, we finally made it to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls festival. Picture 500,000 people, dressed in red and white... partying in the streets for 10 days straight... drinking wine. Let's just say, Los Fermines is a fiesta you should experience once in your life. By the end of 10 hours, you're sick of seeing red and white clothing, drunk people, stepping on trash and people. Yes, people.

We couldn't leave Pamplona's bull festival without riding one... my favorite ride: El Toro Loco! Zach and I both had battle wounds on our hands and legs from falling off!!

Dressed in red and white, blending right in with the crowd. 

A little taste of the bulls! :)

After sleeping in the park, we got up early on day 6 to go see the bulls run! There are 10 bulls and some other cows running down the streets around 7:30am. The bulls were inside two rows of fencing, and all the people (who were smart not to run!) were packed behind them. While it was a bit uncomfortable and super hot, it was over rather quickly and we made our way to the bus station, which was an experience all on its own!

People slept wherever people could sleep. The tv monitors didn't work, so you had to walk around to find your bus... 6 buses left for Zaragoza at the same time... which was ours? What. A. Mess. Well, in order to get to the doors of the buses, you had to step over the people still sleeping/passed out from too much wine. My 50+ pound suitcase didn't help matters - good thing Zach was strong!

Day 6, in the afternoon/evening, was spent exploring La Rambla and its surrounding areas in Barcelona - like, the Plaza Mayor seen above. We were able to meet up with an Irish friend of mine, Seodhna, who I met in Salamanca. Together, we all went around the Gothic quarters, near Bacelona's port, before stopping for tapas.

Barcelona's port at sunset. Yet another amazing view!

On day 7, we explored Gaudi's Parque Guell, that has nice views of Barcelona below. Good thing they had esclators to climb the hills to get there, or I'm still not sure if I'd have made it to the top! What a fantastic place - the tile work, the design - it just let you in awe!

Zach wanted to see the 1992 Olympic park, so we went. This view is overlooking the magic fountain, Plaza Espana, and the Plaza de Toros (all seen on the left of the photo!) Later in the night, we returned to the magic fountain (thinking we would see the light show - but it only happens on certain nights in the summer - bummer!) where we bought beers from the guys walking around and enjoyed the nice summer weather, before we met up with my other friend, Edu, who lived in Valladolid this year! We spent the night going out on the town, which was way too much fun!

After visiting the Olympic stadium, we needed some refreshments. Healthy ones! We stopped by the San Josep Market just off la Rambla. These fresh fruit slushes were wonderfullllll. What kind do you want?

After trying to visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, (we visited La Sagrada Familia earlier in the morning) and were unsuccessful due to my sundress, we wandered through the Gothic area again and found this wonderful side street! How pretty is that walkway?!

After spending the 8th morning on the high speed train (thank you Zach!) we made it back to Madrid to spend the evening/nigh with Rocio and Gonzalo. We went to El Escorial, a town/monastary about half an hour from Madrid. Later in the night, we had a nice dinner with their friends!

Day 9 included churros for breakfast followed by a fun day trip to Avila, with Rocio, Gonzalo, and two of their friends. We hiked the city walls that surround Avila's old town. We had incredible views of the city below as we circled the town from high above. We had a wonderful home made dinner at Gonzalo's house, with some of the best tortilla espanola I've ever had prepared by Gonzalo's mom! 

Day 10 was a day full of traveling - from Spain back to Missouri. Rocio and Gonzalo took us to the airport where Zach and I met up with Rodrigo, the 12yr old Spanish student from Navalmoral de la Mata, who was coming to spend three weeks in the USA at a summer camp and then with my family and me. We said goodbyes to Rodrigo's family and headed for our plane! After stops in Miami and Chicago, we were happy to be home! 

I had an incredible time traveling during my last days in Spain for the 2011-2012 school year. I'm so glad Zach decided to come visit, as it's always nice to travel with friends and family from back home! We had great experiences in places that were new/old for both of us and wonderful friends to meet up with along the way! Thanks for a fun adventure, Zach!