Fireworks and Bull Fights, Oh My


Maverick Rover World   Blog Post #73

Valencia, SPAIN 

During the annual Fallas Festival fireworks abound. 

Every day for a couple of weeks at 2:00pm and midnight a fireworks display rocks the city. 

The ground literally shakes more than any earthquake I have ever experienced

Along with hundreds of food carts along the street, music everywhere, 

and might I mention cigarette smoke, the city it packed with human bodies moving in droves from one venue to the next all hours the day and night. 

   
I understand that bull fights are not for everyone, however the fanfare and pageantry is certainly a sight to behold. and by the way, the bull is not wasted since it does become hamburger.


 

   We were fortunate to sit directly in front of Matador Nek Romero's girlfriend, who told us about him and shared her fear on every occasion that he enters the bull ring.
He came out of this one unscathed, however one of the other guys tripped and was knocked down by the bull. Fortunately he was not seriously injured, but they immediately distracted the bull and assisted him out of the bull ring. 
Oh, and one other thing, it seems to be a manly thing to smoke cigars while watching from the stands. Eventually we kinda sorta adjusted to the fumes, but certainly were glad they were not smoking marijuana or we would have been higher than a kite.



Back to the Fallas events

  

The Doves, representing Peace with an Olive branch, at City Hall (Ajuntament) are massive (maybe 50-80 feet tall) and
a parade of locals moving toward Plaza Reina where they offer flowers to the Virgin.


Every woman and girl in the festival parades wears this exact hairstyle, 
they are hairpieces pinned onto their own hair.



Flowers for the Virgin



Yes, these are all fresh flowers on the Virgin statue


The streets of Valencia are hung with festival lights much as the US does for the Christmas holidays, they sparkle plenty and vary in color and design. Many are sponsored by corporations such as Coca Cola, Mahou beer and others for advertisement. 
BTW, Spain is, in my humble opinion, one of the few countries that offer 
beer (cerveza zero) with no alcohol by many more companies than the US. 
As we no longer imbibe in alcohol, we do appreciate the taste of hops and barley from a bottle. They offer Blonde (light) and Toast (dark) beer. 


To keep this post short, I'll end with a gentle moment on a walk
 in or neighborhood park,  Jardin del Real Viveros 
where we can also smell the fragrance of the orange blossoms.














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