Since the holiday fell on Sunday this year, the mostly native Spanish marching band was available in full-force. Tynan and Elena's 12-year-old daughter, Paula, plays oboe in the band (and in a classical orchestra). So, we couldn't possibly miss the parade.
Klikk på et bilde for å forstørre... which I hope means 'click any image to enlarge.' (If it doesn't, unnskyld — I beg your pardon.)
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| A GREAT PHOTO OP OF SAN GERALDO LOST TO A GUST OF WIND. HE'S BEHIND THE FLAG. |
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| DESIGN VARIES DEPENDING ON REGION OF NORWAY. |
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| RIGHT OUT OF CENTRAL CASTING? |
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| SO NICE TO SEE THE SPANISH FLAG, TOO. |
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| THEY MARCHED BY GRADE FROM THE NORWEGIAN SCHOOL. THESE 6TH-GRADERS LOOKED LIKE TROUBLE (OR FUN). |
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| I FELT LIKE I WAS IN BERMUDA. |
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| A GIFTED DRUMMER. |
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| PERHAPS SOME NORWEGIAN IN HER GENES. |
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| ADORABLE. |
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| NORWAY MEETS HOLLYWOOD? |
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| THEY CHANTED, "HIP HIP HOORAH!" |
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| ON SAX AT FRONT, THE BAND'S LEADER. |
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| CAN YOU SEE THE MUSIC? |
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| BAND MEMBERS RANGE IN AGE FROM UNDER 10 TO OVER 70. |
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| PAULA (FOREGROUND) AND FRIENDS. |
The band is brilliant and my videos are mediocre, so I'll end with the first "traditional Norwegian folk song" I ever heard.
San Geraldo's cousin Inger sang movingly to us during our first visit to Norway. When she finished, we asked what it meant. She explained that it's the story of a fisherman who rows out to find another fisherman in his favourite spot. So, he hits the other fisherman over the head with an oar and knocks him into the water. He then contentedly settles into fishing. Sweet.
Ed rodde meg ut (I rowed out).
A great day for a parade too!
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish must be the most 'paraded people' (?) in the world!
Lesson learned....don't mess with a Norwegian fisherman!!
Jim:
DeleteInger was a music teacher and led professional choruses. In her rich, beautiful, powerful voice, she belted out this song while we were in the car. It was so moving, we had goosebumps. Then she translated it!
Wait.... from the Norwegian school ?? There is a Norwegian school in Fuengirola? Like... a full-day immersion school, all taught in Norwegian instead of Spanish? or a private school for learning Norwegian part time, like the Alliance Française schools around the world for taking classes in French?
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of that song. Hilarious that it's actually about knocking out and doing in a fellow fisherman, albeit a trespassing one :)
Judy:
DeleteIn the area are Norwegian, English, Swedish, and Finnish schools. Public and private. The students learn in two or three languages to serve the varied international community living down here. Spain still has a lot of catching up to do in terms of literacy and education for all. But we see good things happening.
Woohoo, you got my Norwegian blood pulsing! I can hardly believe there are enough Norwegians to have a celebration. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteThis was the biggest turnout since we've been here. Great that the holiday fell on Sunday and really heartwarming that so many kids and adults not of Norwegian descent participated.
Don't forget the Eurovision, due to start in under 10 hours from now. (I can hardly wait!) I know that you and S.G., being men of discerning tastes, will, like me, be glued to the telly, even though it's only the Semis Heat 1 - But, oh the tingling excitement of it all!
ReplyDeleteRaybeard:
DeleteNot me, said I. San Geraldo will watch it on the web (but not live) and then he'll tell me about it and then he'll insist I watch some of it with him. Can you tell how atingle I am?
Ah, my multi-lingual friend; I am impressed, as always. Paula has such a sweet smile... but Mr. Bermudas and Jacket Man? Now that is scary!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteThere was another guy walking the route who seemed to think he was in Bermuda, too. I thought maybe that's how they dress in Norway on a hot and sunny Syttende Mai. Then I thought again: Hot and sunny? Norway? Never mind. The guy pictured was very pleasant. And the jacket was seer-sucker!
Norway - Spain. Who would have thought?
ReplyDeleteFrank:
DeleteThere's a HUGE Finnish population here. Most menus in town are in Spanish, English, and Finnish.
What Frank said! ^^^^^
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteIt's a melting pot. Europeans from cold and dark places love it here!
Anything for a party, eh? Love the parade, and why not celebrate. There has to be at least some Norwegian blood in the country, right?
ReplyDeleteLinda:
DeleteI'm sure the tradition only began when all the expats arrived years back. This part of the country has a huge variety of nationalities. I've been told there are even a couple of Americans living somewhere in town.
Was the parade in front of your place? Doesn't look quite as frenetic as some of the religious parades you have featured, but still looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteThe parade started about 4 minutes walk from us on the paseo. This was nothing like a Spanish procession or cavalcade. Different in just about every way. And still lots of fun.
wait wait wait how did the Norwegians get on stage?
ReplyDeleteI'm so confused.
These don't look like proper Norwegians viz. 'Ibsen types" I suspect it is the sunshine and the latitude.
Spo:
DeleteYou hit it right on the nose. It's kind of how people from Michigan end up staying in Arizona. And, oh yeah, these are proper Norwegians... although warmer.
Paula has such a lovely smile and yes I see ~~ I see the music!! (those are my fave kind of photos)
ReplyDeleteRon:
DeletePaula is lovely in every way. Sometimes, her parents will even agree with me.