The summer is the BEST time in Santander, the locals have been telling me for months. I can see why--there has been tons of festivals, music, street entertainment, food, and overall huge difference in the ambience in the streets. What a change from the rainy winter days when there wasn't a soul, let alone concerts and artsy displays of this that and the other.
From July 23-Aug 1 was "La Semana Grande" in Santander, and that featured music, music and more music, plus food, food and more food! Two of my favourite things! ;D There were little "casetas" (wooden huts) set up in the streets from restaurants and cafes all around town, and they were selling pintxos (tapas--snacks of various shapes and sizes) and drinks. It was great to go around trying the different offerings and I was taking mental notes of cool things to try and make at home, hehehe...
The grand opening fireworks--traffic was at a standstill and we all abandoned our vehicles to watch from the streets, rather than sitting idling... ;)
In the Magdalena park (on the peninsula) they set up huge stages for two nights of concerts by various indie groups. I had heard of some names but that's it. Some were good, some were horrid (Belgian punk by a group called "Vive la fête" is definitely on my list of not-to-see-ever-again...I highly advise against you looking them up....)
Belle and Sebastian were good and mellow and used a good variety of instruments. Quite easy on the ear, and one of the more well-known acts of Friday night
On Saturday, Sidonie (Catalans) were the stars of the night, as they really knew how to work the crowd and had all the people jumping. At one point, they got us all to kneel/sit down on the grass and the lead singer came down and sat on the edge of the stage, singing and "storytelling"--creative! :)
Hoards of people waiting, eating and drinking in front of some casetas on the alameda
Good music by the band from Santoña as people munched away in front of the town hall
Preparing pintxos in the back of a caseta
Estereotypo--a local rock/electronic band that played in front of a supportive home crowd
They tossed out giant inflatable balloon things into the crowd--I wanted to take one home but none came my way...
Preparing loads of octopus (pulpo)...mmmm......
In my opinion, would be much better if Spain was known for octopuses (octopi?) instead of for bulls....I'm not sure it'd be necessarily safer to have octopus fights, but it'd sure be interesting to see the human disadvantage underwater!!
An multicultural fair just opened up last Sunday and everyone calls it the Fair of the Nations. It's basically a bunch of tents and huts for various countries (mostly European, though there is a general all-encompassing "Asian" stall--arrgggghhhhhh) serving food, with a big stage for performances. We've only been once so far, but it was good, despite serving overpriced eats (of course).
Lots of people showed up for the opening day
We saw some Brazilian dancing and drumming and ate Argentinean and Greek
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