My days in camp are over... I've learned tons of lessons about children, games, language barriers, and Spanish life. I plan on heading back to Acalà for the fiestas at the end of August, but I'm sure I'll have a full entry on those nights... Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
La Latina
My barrio is one of the most international areas of Madrid, La Latina. You have to go off the tourist beaten path to find the small boutiques, international cuisine, and rocking bars. Anything ranging from South American flare to the Middle Eastern hooka lounges, La Latina is where you want to be for the world vibe. Thi
s weekend was the fiesta of the patron saint of La Latina, La Virgen de La Paloma. Needless to say, Spaniards don't need a reason to party, but it always helps to have a common Saint to cheers to...Fireworks booming over La Latina.
Tucker (the new flatmate), Erik (Couchsurfer), Robin (fellow teacher on the farm) and I head out to the main plaza to throw back a couple litros. My photojournalistic side takes over and the memory card starts to fill up. Thousands of revelers walking shoulder to shoulder with no other goal except to eat good eats, drink good drinks, sing good sings, and smoke good smokes.
Advertencia!: When ordering a 'Mini' expect a liter of whatever drink you ordered...
Ex: Dame un Mini de Gin y Tonic => Expect a liter cup half full of Gin and half full of Tonic.
Its like calling a fat guy 'Tiny'
The masses congregate around fountains taking up any ground space available to give the legs a rest, take in the view, and get some people watching done.... maybe splash a girl or two.
One interesting aspect of the fiestas that they are non-discriminant to age. I have seen 2 year olds out with their parents and I have seen a 75 year old couple out on the town in traditional Spanish garm, full flamenco dress in tow. This is all at 3 or 4 in the morning... It may seem strange, and you would think the kids and the grandparents would both need naps, but the Spaniards pull it off well.
The fireworks put on a spectacular show, the fiesta starts to wind down, me and the boys say good-bye to the awefully friendly Spanish girls we met along the way, and we start the trek home. The glow of the Sun starts to peer over the city, adding additional haze to my sleep lacking mind. La Paloma has done it again.
Tucker (the bearded wonder), Me, Maria, and the two Sonyas at the end of Fiesta de la Paloma.
Kevin is officially on his way in two days, fiestas in Acalà de Henares, and I expect full mayhem to ensue....
If you want to join in the fun... you can hide in Kev's luggage.
-Lo
"Live as if you'll die tomorrow, Learn as if you'll live forever." -Ghandi
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