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Spain

Cycling tour of the Fogueres

We went with friends to a cycling group to tour some of the fogueres in Alicante. We arrived at the meeting place which was near the Plaza del Toros.

Shelley, Sonja’s daughter, Sonja and Ray at the start of the cycling tour

It was a very hot day and we were surprised to see so many cyclist there.

Cyclist gathered near the Plaza del Toros preparing to tour the fogueres.

We left the Plaza del Toros and headed toward our first foguere. It was tricky cycling at first because of how close we were to other cyclist.

Cyclist along the route to see fogueres

We went a few blocks and then came to our first stop. The foguere was interesting and focused on a specific topic.  It was people of all different type and nationality. The focus of the foguere was that we are all inter-connected and co-dependant.

Shelley at our first stop of the fogueres.
Foguere of different people in the world

After checking out the foguere we saw another one which was close by. This particular foguere was very impressive with ornate designs and detail. The focus of the foguere is the government corruption that is an issue in Spain.

The political Puppeteer pulling the strings
The political parties being caught up in scandals
Mariano Rajoy -Prime minister of Spain and other politicians as clowns
Mushrooms on the ground representing the public which is being fed manure by the politicians.
A maze showing the politicians actions before being ousted from office.

We enjoyed reading and looking at the different pieces of the foguere. We then got back on our bikes and headed towards our next foguere. We arrived at a huge foguere which had some spectacular art work. This foguere also focused on world politicians.

Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump with missiles pointed at each other.

The fogueres had some very pointed opinions about the nonsense that is taking place across the world. We would take our time and read each sign. It was the regular people making statements about the politician and policies that affect their lives. The signs below Trump and Kim translates roughly as “they enjoy moving boats, for them it’s just a game, we’re fed up with their big show of ego” and “poisoned songs are these serene of war, two countries face massacre our future.”  “in the “summit” we saluted and we all breathe, this is well that they speak even if they are lies to one of the other”

There were lots of details in the fogueres. Everywhere we looked you would see small details and ornate decorations.

Detailed sections of the fogueres
Shelley and Ray in front of a three-story high foguere
Some of the small detailed sections of the fogueres

We cycled for approximately three hours and then came to one foguere which was different. This one was giving away free drinks of horchata.

Shelley and Ray at a foguere during the cycling tour.

This foguere was sponsored in part by a company that made “horchata de chufa” which is a traditional Spanish drink. It is made with the chufa sage bulb and is a refreshing natural drink .

Sonja and Shelley at one of the fogueres on our cycling tour

We enjoyed the free horcheta and looked at the foguere.

Foguere focused on water use and supply
Large crowds of people throughout the viewing of the fogueres.
Foguere creatures of the sea with clocks showing time running out.

Throughout the cycling tour we saw many different fogueres and enjoyed seeing the many different pieces of artwork. We came to our last foguere of the evening which was also quite interesting.

Three story high foguere
Foguere against violence

There were so many things to see that the evening went by quickly. We really enjoyed the tour and seeing different fogueres along the way.

“Adios y que tengas un gran dia”

Spain

Mascletàs At Luceros In Alicante

We decided to walk down to the area of the Plaza del Luceros to watch and hear the mascletà’s on Sunday.

Statue in the Plaza del Luceros

The mascletàs are popular in Spain and particularly in our area. Masclaterà’s are pyrotechnics that focus on noise and rhythm.  The Mascleterà’s are started at 2 p.m. and last approximately 12 to 15 minutes.

As we got closer to Luceros the crowds became thicker and larger.

crowds gathering towards the Luceros Plaza for the mascletà’s

People gather early and try to get as close as possible to the barrier fences to be as close as possible. The percussion of the noise can be felt in the entire body, when you are fairly close to Luceros square.

We walked to an area that was not too close to the front of Luceros and found a good spot to watch the mascleta. The noise is very loud and we brought ear plugs to protect our ears.

Shelley and Ray with hearing protection at the mascletà

The mascletà last approximately 15 minutes and escalates in loudness and speed throughout the event. The smoke and sound can be seen across the entire city.

Smoke from the mascletà’s in Luceros plaza

It is a cultural thing here in Alicante and families bring children and even babies to the mascletà.

Young family at the Mascletà’s in Alicante

The mascletà is part of the fiesta called The Bonfires of Saint John.  In Alicante, the fiesta has been established since 1928 and is celebrating it’s 90 anniversary this year.

Mascletà gets its name from the masclets (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. You will hear them throughout the video below.

It is an interesting and amazing thing to see and hear. It is one of the many unique things about living in Spain.

“Adiós y que tengas un buen día”

Spain

Sculling the Mediterranean sea

Sculling is a popular activity in Alicante because of our location on the Mediterranean Sea. The local yacht club has a sculling group which also competes in different competitions. Sonja and I (Shelley)  decided to give the sport a try, so we joined the Royal Regatta Club of Alicante.

Shelley at the Yacht club getting ready to start her new sport.

There are different types of racing shell boats from a single person to group rowing. Shelley and Sonja began learning on a double seat shell.

Shelley and Sonja rowing on the Mediterranean

The boat shell is narrow to avoid drag, and is very tippy and unstable. The oars are attached to oarlocks at the end of outriggers extending from the sides of the boat. The oars help to keep the boat stable and takes some time to learn the best way to balance the shell. Sonja and I are taking lessons twice a week in the morning.  There is a special technique for rowing in a shell. With a partner both rowers need to be in sync. The technique takes practice and is a good form of exercise.

The views are amazing as we row along the marina.

Shelley and Sonja rowing in the marina

We have been rowing for only a few weeks now and already I love the sport. It is quite the  challenge, but is also a lot of fun.

“Adiós y que tengas un buen día”

Spain

Previewing the hogueras in Alicante 2018

We went to preview the fogueres on display and take part in the judging of the best fogueres for 2018. Each year a miniature copy of the full size fogueres are made and put on display for judging. Each ticket entry fee comes with two ballets for voting. One ballot for the adult fogueres and the other is for the children’s fogueres.

We went into the large building and came to the first room which contained the adult fogueres.

Shelley and Ray in the entrance area of the fogueres

There were rows of the fogueres on both sides of the room .

Rows of adult miniature fogueres on display for judging.

We went through the room slowing looking at each one. There was one which caught Ray’s attention.

Ray with firefighter foguere

What was unique about the firefighter foguere is what was not visible at first. The back of the foguere was surprising. The firefighter was wearing a thong and angel wings. I think the meaning behind the foguere is that a firefighter could be a women and may be the firefighter you see in gear.

The view on the back side of the foguere

We walked through the room and admired the amazing details of the fogueres. Some of them were very beautiful and extremely detailed.

One of the fogueres with amazing detail

We then went through to the children’s fogueres area. This was also a large room with fogueres on both sides of the room.

Children’s fogueres on display for judging.

The children fogueres were very interesting and there were many beautiful designed fogueres. We looked at each one and made our votes for what we thought was the best in both categories.

Each year we enjoy seeing the different and new fogueres. Some of them are made to make political statements or to make fun of a particular person or group. One which was particularly interesting was of the poisoning of the oceans through plastics and pollution.

A foguere in a tube design with a skeleton of a fish inside

At first glance it is a message about pollution but on a closer look you see a sign which makes a strong statement.

Sign with ominous warning of the pollution and plastics of the ocean.

It translates roughly in english as follows:

“just wield the last tree
Follow death, the last poisoned river
and the last trapped fish.

You will notice that you can not eat money”

Looking inside the container you can see the bottom which represents the ocean floor and is full of plastics, paints, hazardous materials and other pollutants.

Plastics, paints and other pollutants on base of foguere

Plastic has become a major issue here and across the globe. We see it on a daily basis living on the coast of the Mediterranean sea.

There was another foguere which made fun of a female politician named “Cristina Cifuentes”. She had made a false statement that she had obtained a master’s degree. When she was challenged by the media she produced a certificate which was later proven to be fake. It was a major issue here in Spain and caused a lot of turmoil, she eventually resigned.

Effigy foguere of Cristina Cifuentes a politician from Madrid

In the hands of the effigy are two different “certificates” which do not hold back the feelings of the public.

The “certificate” translates to state ” Master Cristina Cifuentes “major troll of the kingdom”
Fake certificate which translates “Cristina Cifuentes, “a very legal blonde”

It is these type of fogueres which make seeing the different ones so enjoyable.

Below is a gallery of some of the fogueres on display for the voting in 2018.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Poland

A Cable Car Ride up the Tatra Mountain

We decided to take a cable car ride to the top of Tatra mountain near Zakapone. The mountain range forms a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. The tatra mountain Rysy peak is the highest point in Poland at 2,503 m or (8200 ft).

The cable car ride took about 15 minutes to reach the top. The views on the way up were stunning. The following video is shortened and fast speed to give you an idea of the trip up the mountain.

We arrived at the top of the cable car landing and exited to a spectacular view of the mountain range.

Shelley and Ray on the top landing of the cable car ride to Tatra mountain in Poland.

There are trails in the area and many people use the trails to explore the mountain. We walked up the trail that leads to the weather station on the Rysy peak.

Shelley and Ray on the Rysy Pea on Tatra mountain in Poland.

At the Rysy peak area, we could see 360 degrees. The views were stunning in every direction and we took our time to enjoy the views.

View from the Rysy peak of Tatra mountain
Ray on Rysy peak
A view from Rysy peak
Shelley on the Rysy peak

We stayed on the Rysy peak for about a half an hour and then some dark clouds began to appear. It changed the looks of the mountains and made it look somewhat ominous.

Dark clouds rolling into Rysy peak
View from Rysy peak with heavy clouds

We decided to head down the mountain before the weather changed. We took the cable car ride down enjoying the views along the way.

“Do widzenia i dobry dzień”