Tag Archives: Spain culture

Spain

Bagging Grapes

Each year approximately 10,000 workers across the Hondon Valley tie white paper bags to each fledgling bunch of grapes. The bags are used for the protection of the grape harvest. These protective paper bags prevent pest infestations, feeding birds and shield the grapes from direct pesticide sprays and the fierce sunlight here. It apparently also adds to the flavour, colour and texture of the grape., makes the skin is thinner and easier to eat, plus fortifies the vitamin and nutritional qualities of the fruit.

On Sunday there was an international competition of bagging grapes in the Honton Valley. We decided to go with some of our friends and check it out. The competition is called ” Bases Concurso Embolsado de Uva de Mesa de Novelda”. This was something we never knew existed and wanted to see what it was about.

The competition which is the only one of its kind in the world is held at the Bodega Heretat de Cesilia.  It is based on the skill of bagging grapes which are done for the harvesting of a particular type of grape. It is only short distance outside of Alicante so we headed off early on Sunday to get a good seat to see it.

What was surprising was the size of the event. When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly full and there were crowds of people gathering well in advance of the event.

Filipe, Ray, and Shelley on path to competition

We walked down the path towards the competition and there were beautiful palm trees all along the path.

We found a beautiful gazebo covered in vines providing great shade and an excellent view of the competition. We sat down on a bench and enjoyed a nice shaded area with great views of the rows of grape vines.

Ray, Filipe and Liz under the gazebo at Bodega Heretat de Cesilia.

There was a brass band playing music and a beer garden set up for everyone. They had a booth that was giving out free hats and ball caps. We donned our new hats and settled in to watch the Grape bagging.

Felipe, Mike, Liz, and Ray with new hats and a sample bag used for the grapes

There was an emcee and she drew numbers to determine which row the competitors would compete in. There were 20 competitors that ranged in different ages.

Competitor preparing to start race

The race begins with a gunshot and the competitors run to the end of their row and begin bagging grapes. Each competitor has 150 bags and must tie each one-off in an approved knot. It was very impressive just how fast they could bag the grapes. The video below is in real-time and it is the competitor who won the competition.

After the race was completed, there was music and drinks on the patio. We had an opportunity to meet the winner and have our photo taken with her.

Ray, Mike, Liz, the winner Mari Carmen and Filipe

We went into the Bodega for the official awards and banquet meal.

The first place winner Mari Carmen receiving their trophy and cash prize.

After the official awards were completed we sat at our table and enjoyed our six-course traditional Spanish meal. The meal was very enjoyable and we had a wonderful time.

The banquet hall area of the Bodega

It was a long day but well worth going to see the competition. It was entertaining, educational and lots of fun with friends.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Pottery in Agost

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We took a trip out to Agost, a small town near Alicante. This town is known worldwide for its excellent handcrafted pottery.

We went to a family operated pottery facility which has been in the same family for two hundred years. They provided us with a tour throughout their entire process of making handmade pottery.

We started outside and the guide explained how they select the soil, clean and treat it in preparation to make it into clay.

Guide, explaining the process of selecting the soil for clay
Flatbeds for drying the washed soil for clay

We then headed inside the factory to see the next stages of the pottery being created.

The filter process of the soil used for clay
The guide demonstrating the pump system used to get clay

We went into a work area where we watched a potterer create pottery from clay.

A worker making clay pottery and demonstrating the process

We enjoyed the tour and learning about the art of pottery making. We then visited the showroom where there was some very neat handcrafted pottery.

Pottery showroom
Some of the finished pottery on display in the showroom

There is definitely an art to making pottery and it was a very interesting process.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Exposición del Ninot 2017

We attended the “Exposicion del Ninot” display where you can vote for the best Fogueres of 2017.  What makes this so interesting, is that a miniature of each Foguere of the current year is created. They are put on display for people to view and cast a vote for their favorite one.

Entrance to the Exposicion del Ninot 2017

We went inside to view the fogueres and cast our vote. The room was very large and there were fogueres displayed throughout the entire room. Each foguere had an identification card with a number and the barrio it was from.

Foguere identification card
Fogueres on display along the entire walls of the large room

We began walking slowly through the room admiring the amazing art of the fogueres. Each one was unique and had great details. Some were whimsical and almost cartoon like.

whimsical foguere

Other fogueres had themes or represented strong messages.

One of the Foguere’s with a specific message.

The message is a quote from Oscar Wilde which states “They’ve promised that dreams can come true, but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too.”  The image was very powerful and was very well done.

Foguere with strong message and image

One of the entries commemorates a prominent person involved in the fogueres in Alicante for years.

Foguere commemorating the life of a prominent Spanish person involved in the fogueres for years in Alicante
Homage to Antulio SanJuan Ribes

We walked through the first room amazed at all the great artwork of the fogueres.

Ray looking at the fogueres

After about a half an hour looking at the fogueres we came to another hallway and were shocked to find even more fogueres in the next room.

A second room full of fogueres.
Jim and Anne looking at Fogueres

In total there were 89 fogueres which made it very hard to cast our vote.  Below is a gallery of the fogueres, try to decide which one of them is the best.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

 

Spain

A day exploring Alicante

We took our friends from Canada for a little tour of Alicante to show them some of the sites. We walked to the downtown area of the city and enjoyed a nice stroll through one of the oldest parks in Alicante. The park is called the Canalejas Park and is located very close to the Mediterranean sea. The park is known for the beautiful centenary ficus trees which provide shade cover over the complete length of the park. We stopped in the shade and relaxed for a bit to enjoy the trees.

Anne and Jim under the centenary ficus trees
Ray sitting on the root of one of the centenary ficus trees

After enjoying the park we headed to the waterfront to admire the sea. The boardwalk along the marina is beautiful and provides a great view of the Castillo Santa Barbara. We walked along the pier to the end and enjoying the breeze from the sea.

Anne, Jim, and Shelley along the pier in downtown Alicante
Jim and Anne in downtown Alicante

After exploring the downtown area we decided to get lunch at one of our favorite Spanish restaurants called “La Matanza Castellana”.

We enjoyed a traditional Spanish meal of the day which was very tasty.

Jim enjoying a Mediterranean salad

We went to the Castillo Santa Barbara to check out the castle. Our friend Filipe gave us a great tour of the castle.  We explored areas that were not normally accessible to the public.

Ray and Filipe going into the dungeon area of the castle
Anne, Shelley, and Jim, at Castillo Santa Barbara

We went into the area of the castle where prisoners were housed. We saw a torture chamber area and even went into a water reservoir which was used by the castle for centuries.

Ray with Filipe showing the torture chair
15th-century water reservoir in Castillo Santa Barbara
Jim and Anne at the Castillo Santa Barbara

We enjoyed showing our friends some of the Alicante sites. It was a nice day with friends, sunshine and overall lots of fun.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

InterNations Evening

We went to an InterNations event on Friday evening. The monthly events are a great way to meet new people and other expats in the area. This month’s event was held a very unique and old hotel in the old quarter of Alicante. The hotel called “Les Monge Palace” is very ornate and beautifully decorated. The main entrance is unassuming and could easily be walked past.

Les Monge Palace Hotel in Old Quarter of Alicante
Entrance to Les Monge Palace Hotel.

There was a large group of people who attended the event. We mingled in the main lobby area enjoying tapas and snacks. We then headed up the rooftop terrace which was reserved for us. There was an elevator or you could take the stairs. I decided to take the stairs and admire the interior of the building.  The staircase itself was completed in mosaic tiles.

Mosaic tiles on the stairway in Les Monge Palace Hotel

There were wrought iron railings and mosaic tiles throughout the four floors to the rooftop.

Wrought iron railing in the hotel

The view looking down from the top staircase was interesting.

View looking down from the top floor of the staircase

Once on the rooftop the beauty and charm of the hotel were evident. The views from the rooftop were stunning and there was traditional Spanish music playing. The quaint and cozy rooftop seating provided beautiful views in every direction.

View of the Basilica from the rooftop terrace of the hotel
View of the Castle of Santa Barbara from the terrace of the hotel

We stayed on the terrace enjoying the beautiful weather and socialized with people from all over the world.

Ray chatting with some expat friends
Enjoying time with friends from InterNations

It was a great evening and a very enjoyable time. We always enjoy the InterNations events.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”