La Feria

One of the reasons we're here in Seville at this time of year is to check out La Feria, also known as the April Fair. Being rather ignorant in all things Seville, we weren't entirely sure exactly what to expect. I estimated that maybe 20,000 people would be at this thing, but as we took a taxi into town, the driver told us it's more like 700,000 every day.  So we had to check it out that afternoon.

After a pleasant day exploring Plaza de Espana and the pigeon park, we followed the various well dressed Spaniards and eventually came upon the fairgrounds.  This was like nothing I had ever seen before: besides a few onlookers like ourselves, every man was dressed either in a suit, or on horseback in a traditional outfit with a flat, wide-brimmed hat.  The women all looked spectacular, with a traditional frilly dress, matching shawl, jewelry and earrings.  There were horses and carriages everywhere - and even the horses were decorated. And this went on for blocks and blocks - it was like a throwback to the 1800s.

The other part of the tradition is that groups of people will set up casetas (tents), and serve food and drink, and have music.  These are mostly for friends, but there are a few public casetas as well. Since we don't know anybody here, it would have been impossible to get an invite, and besides, we didn't have the proper clothes. (Fortunately, I did bring a clothing upgrade with me, as I was ale to look more presentable with a white t-shirt instead of the wife-beater tank top I had been wearing all day.)

The photos don't do Feria complete justice. Here's a quick video panorama I took, so you can get a feel for the noise and activity:




The other part of the Feria is a carnival, complete with the standard Ferris wheel, rides, games and attractions. Clothing was not an issue for us here. Bryce got two turns in the bumper cars, and both kids went into a fun-house with a spy theme called Torrente Cinco. The whole carnival area was incredibly loud, and Sue and I stayed as long as we could bear.  The fun house had a constant looping audio announcement going full blast outside, and I still hear "Torrente thinco" ringing through my ears.

Bryce mixing it up in the bumper cars

It would be great to return one day and experience Feria as a local would, but we would have to overcome the challenge of making friends in a new place, in a foreign language. Laurel was particularly taken with the whole pageantry of the event, so perhaps she will represent for the family one day and enjoy Feria to it's fullest.

Aside: In the taxi, while talking about Feria, the driver referred to a "montaña russa" and "coches locos".  I had no idea what he meant, but both kids knew exactly what he was talking about.  These are the Spanish words for roller coaster and bumper cars. Laurel told me she learned about montañas russas from a Phineas and Ferb cartoon she watched in Spanish. Bryce said he just figured out coches locos himself.  Awesome!