Futbol y Las Fallas.. a busy week!

Wow a lot has happened within the past week alone! Last Sunday we had the privilege of going to a futbol (soccer) game to watch the famous Real Madrid play local Spanish team Valladoid. The game was no match for Real Madrid who won 4-1. Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona are Spain's two best teams, and Real Madrid may still be recognized as one of the world's best futbol teams. We were so lucky to have front row seats at the game, an unbelievable experience. futbol is essential to Spanish culture. Just as American football dominates all other sports in the U.S. Spanish futbol is very much part of Spanish culture. We were told that if ever walking the streets of town and there are no people out, especially if there is an absence of men, that you can find everyone in the bars watching the latest match. One night I went out to meet friends to watch a Real Madrid match and every bar I passed had the same thing on T.V. Being so close to the field at the game was unbelievable and experiencing the atmosphere of hyped fans was incomparable to any American sports events I have attended.


the view of the stadium from where we were sitting

This past weekend some friends and I went to Valencia Spain for the Las Fallas festival. It is one of the biggest festivals in Spain and it is celebrated a week long minimum in March. The festival is in praise of Saint Joseph and is celebrated with highly decorative and intricate floats some that are merely 8 feet tall and some towering more than 30 feet. All week long celebrations are held with fireworks in the streets, both brilliant fire works shows and crazy party goers throwing their own firecrackers in the streets. It seems like there is a never ending supply of fireworks, even parents let their three year old play and throw firecrackers! I've never heard a city so loud at all hours of day and night. At 8 in the morning I could hear the city booming with fireworks from the apartment we rented a good 25minute drive from the center of the city. We were even lucky to find anywhere to stay in Valencia as there were no available hostels. People plan to go to Valencia for Las Fallas far in advance. A friend I met in Barcelona told me that millions of people come to the city to experience the celebrations. I cannot imagine anything like Las Fallas being possible in the U.S. They sell huge fireworks to almost anyone which would be illegal at home. The entire city seems like it is exploding in fireworks, people are all over the streets. Friday must have been a nightmare for police and firemen because almost all the floats in the city are burned to the ground. People lined up for a good hour to crowd in the streets to see the biggest and best floats burn. We were lucky to be close to one of the best floats when it exploded in fireworks and burst into flames merely 25 feet from where we were in the crowd. The crowds are comparable to new years in time square, and the city is full of such high energy. I believe some of the best floats are saved but there are floats scattered all throughout the city of Valencia during Las Fallas. After all the celebration we were sure to try the paella of Valencia as it is known as the land of paella. Some friends we met told us about a paella buffet and we were able to try several kinds of delicious paella. We also spent a day visiting the distinct modern architecture of Valencia including La' Oceanographic aquarium, and the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. These buildings appear to be something inspired from star wars.

Below are some pictures from the las fallas festival





It has been difficult to keep up with everything. There is so much to share and I am also busy preparing plans for spring break which I will spend in Italy. I look forward to sharing my travels. Hasta pronto.. Ciao!