Thursday, I took the commuter train (Cercanías) into the city of Málaga (we live in the province of Málaga) and spent a couple of hours at Feria (the annual summer fair). It was much bigger (and louder) than I expected. Booths, music, food, gifts, street performers all over the old city center. At the port was more. In the evenings, the fairgrounds outside of town (between us and the city center) are filled with rides, food, and casetas (where people drink, dance, and party until the wee hours).When I arrived in the city before 1 p.m., the streets were already crowded but the crowds were manageable. On some streets the noise (canned music blasting from many directions) could be overwhelming. But there were several really good live bands. I took loads of pictures (some with my camera and the rest with my phone when my camera battery died), including many of the beautiful city. I decided to keep this post entirely about Feria. (That's more than enough for now.) I'll save Málaga for another time.
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| THIS IS WHAT I SAW WHEN I ENTERED CALLE MARQUÉS DE LARIO (THE CENTER OF THE FESTIVITIES). |
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| ONE VERY SERIOUS FLAMENQUITA. |
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| FLAMENCA TWINS... AND A DIVA. |
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| ANOTHER DIVA. BOTH DIVAS SAW THE CAMERAS AND MADE SURE TO BE FRONT AND CENTER. |
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| CALLE MARQUÉS DE LARIO (CLICK TO SEE IT IN ITS GRANDEUR). |
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| MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS. |
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| THREE GENERATIONS. |
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| SOME OF THE KIDS' GAMES TENTS. THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATER IN BACKGROUND. (CLICK TO ENLARGE THE RUINS.) |
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| PLAZA DE LA MERCED. FILLED WITH HANDICRAFTS ... AND MUSIC. (CLICK FOR A BIGGER OBELISK.) |
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| THAT MIGHT BE ENOUGH FOR ME. (CLICK FOR A STRONGER CUPPA.) |
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| THIS GROUP SANG AS THEY HEADED OVER TO PLAZA DE LA MERCED. THEY FILLED THE STREETS (AND ME) WITH JOY. |
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| THE CROWD (AND NOISE) GROWS. CATHEDRAL IN BACKGROUND. |
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| ONE NEARLY EMPTY PLAZA (WITH MUSIC BLASTING FROM ALL AROUND). |
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| TWO HOURS LATER, MAKING MY WAY THROUGH WASN'T EASY. (CLICK TO MAKE THE CROWD BIGGER.) |
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| TOSS IN A COIN AND SHE CHANGED HER POSE. (CHARLIE CHAPLIN WAS GOOD, BUT THE FLAMENCA HAD A NICE SET OF CASTANETS.) |
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| HEADING BACK OUT BEFORE THE MAJOR CROWDS ARRIVED. |
Love the colours and ruffles of those dresses! Nothing says Spanish more than ruffles!!
ReplyDeleteBet you were happy to get home Mitch after this feria-filled afternoon.
Jim:
DeleteI had a great time, but was so happy to escape before the major crowds arrived... and the major drinking was in full swing.
hi! just found your blog through john grey and i love it! i signed on to follow you and added you to my sidebar. joyce
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce,
DeleteThanks so much for following and saying "hello." I just quickly checked out Octoberfarm and am already hooked! Hope we get to know each other really well here.
I love Flamenco and really enjoyed it when we were in Seville. Just love the polka dots!
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI love it too, but more the music than the dancing. Although, the rhythmic clapping is brilliant. (I think maybe you have to be born with that ability.)
Wow!
ReplyDeleteNot sure I could cope with the crowds these days but the colours are amazing!
How wonderful to have all this virtually on yourvdoorstep!
Jean:
DeleteI'm so glad I went and so glad I went early! It probably wasn't half as crowded as it would become late afternoon/evening, and there were still streets I couldn't even get through. A claustrophobe would have had a melt-down.
Fabulous! I echo Jean, how wonderful to have all this on your doorstep (so to speak.) Such costumes, love the little tot in the pink and white, so serious. I just love the photos, (particularly your comments!) I could almost feel the joy and the atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteJudith:
DeleteThis was my first trip into Málaga since our move to the coast. So close. So easy to get to. The commuter train is an absolute pleasure. Once the weather cools, San Geraldo will be making lots of trips.
Really glad you were able to get a feel for it all. Despite the crowds and noise (which I'm not big on), the experience is uplifting. So much color, music, and definitely joy.
More divas than you shake a stick at!
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteOr a castanet...
The little girls are so adorable in their dresses!
ReplyDeleteI expect at any time to order a large drink here in the states and receive a cup that big. :)
Michelle:
DeleteI've heard Starbucks will be adding another size to their coffee offerings. In addition to their three: tall, grande, and venti, they're adding a fourth... Monfucious.
You "Sevillians" really know how to party!
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteNo longer "Sevillians" (Sevillanos), we're now Malagueños... and, yes "we" still know how to party. (I had an entire small beer myself.)
Goodness! Do the Spanish know how to party! It seems to be non-stop celebrations of this or that saint or occasion. Don't they ever sleep? Oh yes, they 'invented' the siesta, didn't they?
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteOur first year in Sevilla, we marveled at how many fiestas and processions there were. Not as many down here but, in the city of Málaga itself, probably not far behind. Tonight I'll finally get to the Medieval Market at the castle. Thank "whoever" for the invention of the siesta!
The colors are spectacular! Great shots, all.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteThanks so much. I was disappointed when I had to switch to the camera on my phone, but I was pleased that I still managed to capture the day.
From this former New Yorker who still quite often worships at the altar of gray, black, and brown, I have fallen in love with the colors of Spain.
Everything you show us of Spain is so clean and attractive and interesting! I love the way they have created shade for the crowds with the big awning things stretched above the crowds over the street. Really interesting! It's great to know that there is another interesting city that it easy for you to get to for exploring and city-ing :)
ReplyDeleteJudeet:
DeleteAren't those awnings great? I had never seen them until our first summer in Sevilla — a life-saver in that very hot city. It's amazing how much cooler it is under those. I went from being hot to being comfortable in Málaga. I'm very exciting to get back and get to know Málaga. So easy to get into town.
these photos always make me think Spain is rawther a happy colourful place - no nasties!
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteMaybe Spanish Tourism Board will hire me!
I see you went on your own to the festivities. You are brave. The colours and music look so exciting. What a grand time you must have had.
ReplyDeleteRon:
DeleteSan Geraldo doesn't tolerate city heat, noise, or crowds as well as I do. So I went alone. It's a good thing, too. It WAS very hot in the sun. Unbelievably noisy and crowded. I did, however, have a great day.
We look forward to exploring together in the fall!