Feria by Night

We decided to go back to the Feria at night to see all the lights lit up! This time we left the kids at home with a babysitter and Cassy and I went with our friend Ana.

This picture will mean nothing to anyone, but it shows the guys at the parking area. They had us drive down a sidewalk and tried to park us in the craziest, skinniest of spots. We were laughing so hard. They finally gave up when someone pulled out of a different stop and they had us park there. One of those experiences that you had to be there in order to truly appreciate it!

This was the "good" spot that someone was pulling out of.

The view from the big ferris wheel...

The grid in the background is where all of the casetas are set up.

On the street...

The casetas all lined up.

Dancing in the streets.

Dancing in the casetas.

The people of Sevilla know how to celebrate life. Like my friend said, "We work to live, not live to work." The unemployment is so high here and the economy seems to be getting worse. We know many families who have one parent out of work and I am sure it is very stressful for their families, but I see that they are still lighthearted and they are out enjoying life. They pick up what work they can. They are also very, very generous and kind, even when money is tight. I admire the people here and their resiliency. And most especially their celebration of life!

Going to Lagoon in a Prom Dress...Also Known As April Feria

This week everyone is out of school and off of work to celebrate April Feria. It all started in 1847 when they used to get together for a livestock show, but today the only animals you will see are fancy Andalucian Horses. The women wear their colorful Flamenco dresses and the men go in suits. It is all very classy. On the grounds, there are casetas set up, which are like large canopies or tents. Most of the casetas are private and you must have a connection to enter. They have a contest each year to see which caseta is decorated the most beautifully. Some of them are absolutely amazing. They serve food and drinks there and also have a dance floor so people can dance Sevillanas, a particular type of Flamenco. Then, once you are finished with the dancing and eating, they have a huge amusement park set up next door to enjoy, Flamenco dress and all. It is fun to see the crazy twirl upside down rides with the Flamenco dresses swirling. There is not a mullet or wife beater in sight....where are the Thorley's when you need them??!!:)

They build a new Portada, or entrance to the fair each year based on the architecture of a building in Sevilla.

The casetas all in a row.

Inside one of the casetas before the crowd arrives.

A little Flamenco dancing...

Then off to the rides...

Addy insisted on this ride. It looked like the scrambler, but we didn't see it in action before Cassy, Addy and Connor hopped on. I tried to capture the look of terror on Addy's face as the ride bounced up and down and whipped around and seriously lasted forever. She said she couldn't breathe and I believe her.

Alex opted to forgo one of the rides and try his chances at "The Claw". I was sure he wouldn't end up with anything...

I was SO wrong. An airsoft gun, with BB's....doesn't get any better! His day was made. And so was ours, the feria was beautiful and we had so much fun!