Fair (To Middling)

San Geraldo and I walked over to Feria Fuengirola (the annual Fuengirola Fair) Wednesday at dusk. It was joyful, loud, colorful, and dazzling. Click any image to increase the spectacle.

WHAT WE SAW ON OUR ARRIVAL.

I was so happy to be at the Fair and, after a couple of hours — of music blasting from every direction; and noise of all kinds; and barkers hawking rides and food and games; and crowds growing by the second; and flashing lights — I was also happy to leave it.

Although we've been known to enjoy the rides (I just won't go on anything that goes upside down and/or backwards and San Geraldo doesn't like soaring to or from great heights), we didn't try anything this time. I figure I shouldn't push my luck, given how I've been feeling (improved but not better; it's back to the specialist for me Friday). I was simply grateful to be able to spend three hours on my feet.

HE REMOVED HIS SHIRT FOR ME.  I SNAPPED A PICTURE.
HE LIFTED HIS SKIRT FOR ME.  I SMILED AND WAVED "ADIOS."

San Geraldo was perfectly content as a spectator. A great night's free entertainment for us both. Not long after we arrived, we stopped to watch one of the rides. At that very moment, two blurred faces swept into view and I said, "That's Tynan's kids!" They spotted us and waved, and I looked to the right to see Tynan standing on the sidelines.

TYNAN'S KIDS (ARMS IN THE AIR).

LATER, DOLING OUT THE MONEY TO HIS AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL (AND DESERVING) KIDS.

(I HADN'T REALIZED TYNAN WAS IN THE SHOT OR I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE OF HIM.)

After losing 30 pounds, San Geraldo's biggest challenge was not doing his usual "country fair chow-down" of several ears of corn and a few funnel cakes. It was the first time he's felt tempted, but the temptation quickly passed — although he was clearly happy to finally leave. On our way home, we stopped at Sandpiper for a very substantial and healthy dinner.

LIGHTS!  (THERE WERE ALREADY CAMERAS AND ACTION.)

PERMANENT SCULPTURE ON ONE OF THE PLAZAS INSIDE THE  FAIRGROUNDS.

ONE OF THE HALLS, ALL SET UP TO PARTY.

BOB ESPONJA, AKA SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS.  (THIS LOOKED ABOUT OUR SPEED).

GREAT TO SEE FRESHLY MADE COTTON CANDY (ALGODÓN DE AZÚCAR).
(EVEN THOUGH I'VE NEVER LIKED COTTON CANDY).

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THERE. UPSIDE DOWN. IT'S BUNGEE CORD.

ON THE STREET OUTSIDE THE FAIRGROUNDS.

RIGHT: ALTRAMUCES, WHITE LUPINS (A VERY COMMON BAR SNACK HERE).
LEFT: CHUFAS, TIGER NUTS OR EARTH ALMONDS.  BOTH ARE HIGH IN PROTEIN AND FIBER.
THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW COCONUT SERVED THIS WAY WAS IN LIVORNO, ITALY.

BACK OUTSIDE AND ON OUR WAY HOME. 

SLUSHIE AND SON BREAKING IN THE RIDES OPENING DAY.
 I LOVE THIS SHOT! I SAW IT ON SLUSHIE'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND ASKED TO USE IT.

Super Olla (Super Saucepan)

Super Olla was San Geraldo's favorite ride — to watch. We must have stood there for 20 minutes. Jessica, at Sandpiper, told us during dinner that when it's not busy the emcee actually stands in the middle of the ride and dances the entire time it does its flips and spins, without ever losing his footing. That I'd like to see. My brother Chuck will like this simply because the emcee is wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap and, for whatever reason, the Statue of Liberty appears in the background. Truly Great Nephew Jack would simply point to the mural and say, "Boobies!" (click here)

THE BIG SPIN AT THE FINISH.
(IT HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO SLOW AT THIS POINT.)