Make wishes, start fires and swim in the sea--it's summertime!

Officially, the summer solstice is June 21st of each year, but for whatever reason (no research done here, only speculation), I suppose it is close enough to the festival for San Juan (St. John) on June 24th that someone decided to combine the two and really make it bigger.

In each region of the country, they celebrate it differently. Friends from Valencia say that the tradition is for young people to go down to the beach and jump over waves starting from midnight of the 24th. Here in Cantabria, there wasn't a lot of wave jumping, though some brave, brave souls made it into the water.

We headed out to Soto de la Marina at about 11:30pm on the 23rd, to go to San Juan de la Canal, a beach also named in honour of the saint to be celebrated, where the festivities are big and popular. Seemed like there were quite a few people, though I'm told things were crazier and bigger years ago, but there were problems one year and that put a damper on the crowds.

Anyhow, we arrived to a fun fair style party, with a big stage with someone singing cheesy songs, greasy eats in mobile trailers, stalls of jewelry and knicknacks and of course, lots of drinks and merriment.

Blue lights of the stage and lots of stalls for food and shopping

The big bonfire was to be lit at midnight, so we headed over to check it out before it all went up in smoke. It was a big pile of planks, cardboard, chairs etc, and really looked like the leftovers of an unsuccessful garage sale.

Before they lit the whole mess ablaze--can you identify any household items?

At midnight, a few folks brandishing flaming sticks stepped up to the pile and set it all ablazing. Not much later, the fire was roaring and emitting an intense amount of heat. I swear it felt like 35C or more on my face....as if the sun was blazing, or I had stuck my head into an oven. We were sweltering despite being a reasonable distance away.

Admiring and observing the force of it all

Sprinklers go off to give a bit of a reprieve

After watching it roar away for a while, they started the fireworks, which were really cool and gave beautiful colours to the sky, along with the fire. Then we wandered down towards the water, where we saw lots of crazy people going for a dip with the fireworks zipping around above them. Very beautiful, but so insane to think of even stepping into the chilly waters just a bit before 1am. There were lots of beachgoers who came up to the fire in their bathing suits, to dry off and maybe get a tan, ha.

Took me a few tries to get this nice shot :)

Fireworks over the sea as brave people go for a dip

While taking more photos, a photographer that was clicking away nearby came over and asked to take my photo. Or rather, he asked Ruben if I wouldn't mind, because he wanted a shot of a Japanese girl interested in Spanish culture. ;) I didn't hear him say it, but really, I'm not surprised. Anyhow, my little picture made it into a regional paper here, and edition number one that came on Friday, of all things! :) It's my little step into Spanish stardom....hehehe....

When we left it was past 1am and the fire was still going strong. I wonder how long it took to burn away completely at the end?

The sky lit up by the blazing fire

Food and fiestas (so what else is new?)

BBQ at the owner's house~

As a pre-end-of-year gathering, we were all invited to William and Carolina's place for a bbq/staff party. We ended early one Friday and set off in cars and buses to Liencres, where they both live in a large house by the beach.

Of course the best place to gather is around the food!

Carolina checks to make sure there's enough food for us hungry folks....

Graeme and Amanda are happy after some good eats

William sneakily tops up more capirinha for Piedad while she is absorbed in conversation

The covered patio area is wonderful for an afternoon nap

Happy birthday Elena!

Joe attempts to beat Amanda's records at the frog game

We wandered down to the beach where Graeme, Amanda and Urien braved the cold waters for a dip and some wave-battling

Recent kitchen experiment and an excessive meal out~

Happily wrapping wontons at 1am....well, forced-happy in the photo, exhausted in reality, but we still had lots of fun playing around with our food! ;)

Lunch at the mulata, a nice seafood restaurant where we ate waaaaaaayyyyyy too much. This is fish for one person....wwwwhhhhhoooooaaaaa!!!!!!!

The fancy presentation of the hake stuffed with crabmeat didn't win any fans

Another round of visitors~

Mel and Tim arrived on the ferry from England one lovely sunny Thursday, and spent the weekend here exploring out lovely region. Tim left Sunday, and Mel on Monday for Madrid, and then Mel returned for another weekend on Friday. Weather was not so friendly to her as it rained down in Madrid (that's a rare thing at this time of year!!) and of course here in Santander (that's not so rare up here....). But overall, we had lots of fun, ate TONS (too much....I'm still recovering...) and explored lots of different areas.

Arrival meal in Santander--lovely pintxos in the sun

Dinner out with the gang--raciones and Sangria to share!

We were sweltering in this restaurant because it was so full and the weather was great!

Pintxos bar-hopping Saturday night. This is stop number 2--tostadas of various types at Hijas de Florencio

So besides eating (which we did tons of....), we also explored the region and took our visitors sightseeing:

The mysterious-looking lighthouse

Dramatic cliffs of Santander

Last weekend, we took Mel to the famous cave El Soplao, where we went on a tour inside and she taught us a bit about the stalactites and stalagmites and other interesting stuff. Great to have an expert with you on these kinds of trips! :) Unfortunately, no photos allowed inside but there were some really cool formations that looked like straws, curtains, columns, Christmas garland and tinsel...and of course the usual "religious figures"... ;)

The local government also decided it'd be a great idea to have an Oktoberfest, so a few days before it started, they announced it and splashed posters everywhere! It is (still ongoing till the 20th) a 10 day affair in the bullring, with tents (since the weather hasn't been great), lots of food and drink, and crazy music and dancing. We didn't expect too much but ended up having a fantastic time, watching the insanity that comes about when people guzzle too many steins of beer....

Protection from the elements

Benches and tables to mingle around

People are singing and dancing and moving their arms and legs, but it's hard to see...we'll see if my video uploads...

A litre of any liquid would make me put on that kind of face too! But Mel is a brave one.... (we shared that quantity amongst the three of us at the end....)

Roasting up loads of meat for the hungry visitors--is he licking his fingers??

It's a wonder you don't become buff from lifting hefty drinks and weighty chunks of meat--we had sausages and a pig's "elbow" (do they have any??) and were stuffed to our eyebrows....

My first Spanish wedding experience

May 22nd, 2010~

My first time witnessing a Spanish wedding. Now, having only been to one wedding since age 3, I didn't know what to expect, and if overall it would be any different. The order of events was church, lunch and party. Okay, seemed like the usual deal.

I wasn't wrong about that. But one thing that stood out a lot? There certainly was a higher decibel of sound, with lots of cheering ("Long live the newlyweds!" or "Long live the parents of the newlyweds!" or "Long live the brother of the friends of the parents of the newlyweds!"...you get the idea), singing (folk songs, pop songs and football team chants), clapping and dancing. Not surprising, given the Spanish passion and enthusiasm for everything social. :)

First off, the ceremony in the church of Astillero, about 12:30pm arrival for guests:

The bride is here--let the day begin!

Everyone waiting eagerly for the ceremony to begin

The little ones were supposed to carry a basket and walk down the aisle--a lot to ask for such tiny kids, but they managed, sort of gracefully :)

Cristina's dad was very nervous when they got out of the car, but he seems very happy as he walks his daughter down the aisle

Officially married and waiting happily at the front...do the parents look relieved to you? :)

The boys armed with different things to throw at the newlyweds

The priest said that throwing rice was forbidden (since he had to clean it up) so instead, what you see flying above their heads are....pasta!!! I'm sure he didn't love that smart-aleck alternative. Luckily no one had an eye taken out! ;)

Luis the photographer ducks the onslaught of confetti and others pick out bits and pieces from their clothes.... ;D

Next, we drove out to Escalante for lunch (bear in mind this is Spanish lunch and it was about 3:30pm):

The hotel, San Roman de Escalante, with it's lovely outdoor area for mingling and munching

Lovely garden setting for a calm start to the meal

A lovely shot in the sun, after some drinks and canapes to start it off

The "party" table of guys, with a 3 extras joining for the photo

The newlyweds arrive to applause and cheers

The lunch menu--I think I translated everything below correctly... ;)

Warm cod salad

Monkfish (rape in Spanish) with prawn and velvet crab (necora) sauce

Grilled steak (what do you call this, a ribeye or something??) with some potatoes

Double chocolate cake with strawberry ice cream

Cutting the cake (it was already in little pieces rather than a giant tower!)

Happily sipping on sorbet between courses

About 14 tables or so (I don't remember exactly) of happy folks enjoying the meal and the festivities

The newlyweds have their dance

Sort of like a conga-line, but with different music and it was a bit disconnected as people weren't really keeping rhythm so well..

Up goes the groom....

...and now for the bride....

Lunch, singing and dancing was over by about 8:30 or 9pm and then we hopped on a chartered bus to Noja for more revelry in a bar that was partly reserved for the wedding party:

More singing as we ride the bus to Noja, for more partying and spending the night

On Sunday, we went for a walk along the lovely beach in Noja

To get a real feel of the atmosphere of it all, a few videos for your viewing pleasure: