There is a carnival in Alicante that starts on February 23rd and continues until March 5th. The carnival is full of different activities that include fireworks, dressing in costumes and other events. The carnival begins with a parade through some of the streets of Alicante ending with a big party at the Plaza del Carmen. The parade is full of people walking through the street some are dressed as devils and setting off fireworks and sparklers.
We headed over to the Plaza del Carmen early to check out the area before the big crowds showed up. There was a stage set up for music another section with a bar and some barbecue pits. We then could hear the parade approaching through the narrow streets so we headed over to watch the parade.
Parade procession through the narrow streets of Alicante
We watched the crowds of people gather into the Plaza del Carmen. Some people were dressed in capes, with makeup and wearing devils horns, others were playing musical instruments and singing. People were pushing carts full of fireworks and they were carrying bicycle wheels with fireworks attached.
One of the many carts used to push the fireworksRay standing beside one of the carts
Once everyone was gathered in the plaza they started to set off fireworks in the middle of the plaza. It was an amazing thing to see because the sparkles were raining down on the crowd.
Fireworks and sparklers in Plaza del Carmen
They also stood on the shoulders of other people to elevate the sparklers.
climbing up on the shoulders of another person to set off fireworksStanding on the shoulders of people to set off fireworks
We stayed and watched the fireworks show for a while and left once the live music began. The experience was unique and spectacular. What amazed Ray was the use of handheld fireworks and the lack of apparent concerns for injury.
Here is a small video to give you an example of the fireworks.
We went to the central market and decided that we would buy an Ostrich egg to try it. We went to an egg market stall called “Huevos Yolanda” that sold ostrich eggs. We asked for an egg and she explained that they are ordered and she would call when it arrived. We ordered one which took three weeks before we received it. We picked it up at the market and was surprised at the size and weight of the ostrich egg.
Ostrich egg being sold to us from the central market
We walked home carrying the egg like a football, being careful not to drop it.
Ray bring in the ostrich egg into the apartment
The egg was bigger than we expected and weighed 2.6 kilograms. Apparently, one ostrich egg is equal to approximately 2 dozen chicken eggs.
Ostrich egg compared to an extra-large chicken egg
We invited some of our friends over to enjoy an ostrich egg brunch. The brunch began with Champaign and orange juice and the breaking of the ostrich egg. I gathered up my hammer and a screwdriver to gently crack the egg. Everyone gathered around the table for the event. It was quite the adventure cracking the egg.
We put the egg into a medium-size stainless steel bowl.
Stainless steel bowl for the Ostrich egg.
We whisked the egg in the bowl and then cooked scrambled egg.
Cooking up the egg required two large frying pans.
Ray cooking up one scrambled Ostrich egg
After cooking the ostrich egg everyone enjoyed brunch. The egg was similar to a chicken egg but was a bit creamier in texture and taste. The one egg was big enough to provide enough scrambled egg for eight people.
Liz, Barbara, and Denise eating Ostrich egg brunchMike, Filipe, Ray and Mike having Ostrich egg brunch
Although the experience was very enjoyable and fun, I am not sure I would buy an Ostrich egg every week. The cost of one Ostrich egg is 33 euros or $46.5 Canadian dollars.
Muro is a quaint little town of 9000 people in the foothills of Sierra Mariola mountain. We took a small tour group to Muro to explore the unique little town. Our first stop in Muro was at a local family company called “Pericana de Muro”. The family business which is dedicated to the enhancement and elaboration of “home canning” has been established for generations. We were greeted by the owner and his brother and provided multiple samples to try.
Group at the Pericana with Owner Miguel
The owner “Miguel” is pictured in the original image of the business when he was a small child.
Family business logo and the photo of the original family Miguel is the small child in the photo.
Miguel treated us to a very warm and enjoyable experience at the Pericana. We sampled many different canned products with only locally grown organic produce. The different samples were extremely tasty. Miguel also made sure everyone was treated to a sampling of local wine. There is a tradition of sharing wine using a neat wine decanter with a large spout. Miguel demonstrated how the decanter worked.
Miguel demonstrating the use of the wine decanter.
Some of the people enjoyed the wine using the decanter while others drank the wine in a glass.
One of the people in our tour group enjoying the wine using the decanter method.
We sampled about six different types of canned items.
Some of the samples at the Pericana business
We tried all the samples, using bread and enjoyed them immensely. There were different products such as tomato jam, cod, and peppers even aromatic herbs with virgin oil and tomatoes. All of the products were locally grown and without any preservatives. Miguel was very proud of the products and was a very gracious host to the group.
Miguel and Ray at the Pericana.
After tasting the different products Miguel insisted that he take us for a tour of his hometown of Muro. We headed out for a walk of the downtown area of Muro.
Muro was celebrating their annual medieval festival and the entire downtown area was converted to a medieval theme.
Main Plaza area of Muro, Spain
We walked through the narrow streets looking at the various merchandise on display.
Vendors at Medieval Festival in Muro
We walked along the streets and we came across a group of people playing music.
Musicians warming up in preparation for the parade
They were part of the parade which was going to start shortly. We were greeted by a counselor who was part of the group leading the parade. We were invited to participate and walk with her in the lead of the parade. We walked with her to the main square as part of the head of the parade. It was considered an honor to be in the lead of the parade.
After the parade, we headed to a very old Bodega in town, called “Celler La Muntanya”. We toured part of the Bodega and went into the original cellar of the Bodega.
Stairway down to the original Bodega La Muntanya Cellar in MuroCellar of the Bodega La MuntanyaCellar hallway to different area in cellar
It was very interesting walking through the Cellar of a Bodega which was established for centuries. We then headed back to the courtyard of the Bodega for a rest before heading out to see the remainder of the town.
Liz, Shelley, and Barbara taking a break in the courtyard of the Bodega.
We then continued our walk into the center of town. There were numerous displays and shops along the way. One which we stopped at was very unique. The shop contained some great antiques and the owners were celebrating the festival and providing free drinks and snacks.
Antique store in Moro, Spain
Some of the interesting antiques included a Roman scale, old phone, tools and other old household items.
Scale from the Roman timesAntique phoneOld guy with an old mirrorFilipe and the owner of the antique store
The owner was very friendly and welcomed us into the back of the store to show us his favorite antique. In the back of the store, he had an antique street music box which played music when you crank the handle.
Antique Street Music box
He gave us a demonstration of the music box which played a traditional Spanish tune.
We had a great time with lots of laughs at the store. He treated us like a family guest which was very humbling. We then headed to the main square and checked out the Medieval festival.
Ray looking at the pastries in the MarketFresh dates being sold at the market
The entire town of Muro seemed to be very pleased to have us visiting their town. In fact, the local television station came and did an interview. I was trying to stay out of the media spotlight but they asked me and after only one year in Spain, I was on television again.
Ray being interviewed by the local Spanish television crew.
Muro is a very beautiful town and we enjoyed our visit immensely. It felt like we had a nice visit with close friends.
The town of Alcoy or (Alcoi) is known for their annual Christian and Moor Fiesta. It is one of the oldest festivals of this kind in Spain. The fiesta original began (it is believed) the year after the battle in 1277. It has been internationally known and declared of International tourist Interest, since 1980. The three-day event consists of parades, music, and reenactments of the battles between the Christians and the Moors. They wear elaborate costumes, ride horses and use replicated weapons and fireworks as part of the reenactment. The Alcoy festival commemorates the battle between the Christians and Moors which was fought in 1276.
We went to the Christian/Moors museum in Alcoy, it is situated in a modern three-story building. We went to the third floor and began our visit eventually going down to the first level. Our first stop was in a small theater to view a movie of the event. Below are a few images from the video depicting the activities of the Fiesta.
Images from the reenactment of the Christians and Moors Battle
We watched the video which had parts of the amazing reenactment of the battle and some history of the event. There were also mannequins in costumes situated in the theater.
Ray in front of the costumed mannequins in theater
We then walked through the museum admiring the exhibits and the ornate costumes. On the second floor, we came to a large room with costumes that were used in the fiesta over the years. There were costumes for the children of the fiesta.
Costumes used in the Alcoy Christian and Moors Festival
The displays were very impressive and each mannequin had an information plaque depicting the year it was used in the fiesta.
Some of the older costumes used in the fiesta1921 costume used in fiesta
There were also adult costumes on display from different years of the fiesta. There were rows and rows of very impressive and ornate costumes. We took our time and walked the rows of displays. Below are a few images of the costumes. There are even a few cameo appearances in some of the photos.
Adult costumes on display of the fiesta in Alcoy.Costumes on display from the Alcoy fiesta
The costumes were extremely ornate and very impressive.
We then went to the next level of the museum where we saw some of the exhibits on the making of the costumes. There is a very detailed and complex process for the creation of the costumes. Every year the “Boatos” which loosely translates to mean “the pageantry designers” create new designs for the important roles in the fiesta. They conceptualize the sketch, choose the materials and colors and coordinate all the artisans that take part in its creation. Then the new costumes is created for the fiesta.
Design images for the costumes of the fiestaSome of the materials and jewelry used in the making of the costumes
There was also a meeting room which is used for the organization. The room is also decorated with costumes and images from the festival.
Meeting room for the organization of the fiesta.
The museum also had on display artifacts and old books of the history of the Christian and Moor fiesta. The first recorded photograph of the fiesta is dated back to 1876.
Historical photographs of the Alcoy fiesta
There were historical books, art and other documentation depicting the long history of the fiesta.
Painting in the Christian/Moor museum in AlcoyPoster of a previous Fiesta
The visit to the Alcoy museum was very interesting. We enjoyed walking through the museum admiring the costumes and reading about the history of the fiesta. It is amazing to see how they maintain the history of a battle between the Christians and the Moors that occurred in 1276.
When we arrived in Spain we were exposed to new foods, dishes and Spanish customs related to eating. Over the months that followed we have tried different dishes and foods. Some were very tasty while others were not to our liking.
What was important, was to keep an open mind and be willing to at least try the food or dish. We have had an amazing adventure by trying the different foods. Some of the taste and textures are difficult to explain but a photo can help. Here are a few of the adventurous dishes we have tried.
Olives are very popular here and you see them in almost every meal in one form or another. Spain is the largest producer and exporter of olives and olive oil in the world, so it is not a surprise to see olives regularly incorporated into food.
Different olives, some pickled, some stuffed with fish, meat, cheese or other fruits. There are numerous ways to eat olives.
We have explored the world of olives and tried numerous varieties and styles of olives. Stuffed with sardines, stuffed with cheese and garlic to name a few.
We are on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and there are many types of sea creatures in the Spanish diet. We have come across numerous fish or crustacean meals that we would not normally eat, however, we are committed to trying them at least once.
Deep fried complete fish with head and tail attachedRay eating a complete deep-fried fish
There are many dishes which use fish as a main ingredient.
Potato chips with an olive sprinkle and a small spiced fish
We enjoyed the potato chips with small spiced fish. It was very tasty and was similar to potatoes and salsa. This is a very popular dish at local bars and pubs.
Salads with fish is a popular dish, sardines are normally one of the preferred fish on salad.
Sardines on fresh salad
We have tried numerous types of different shellfish over the past year. There was the normal type of shrimp which are normally served with the heads still on them.
Shrimp with heads are popular in Spain
We also had different types of shellfish, some which looked more like crayfish.
Type of shellfish which looked similar to crayfish
There are numerous types of squid and octopus in Alicante. They are used in many different dishes. We have tried different ones and have found them to be good depending on how they are cooked.
Seafood Paella popular dish in Spain
Paella is a popular dish here in Spain. There are many tourist restaurants that sell paella, although they may not be a traditional paella. The true Valencia Paella is made with rabbit and chicken.
Spanish Paella with chicken and rabbit
There is black ink squid paella which we tried but it was not to our liking.
Black squid ink seafood paella.
There were numerous other different types of dishes we tried and enjoyed over the year.
Roasted Piglet headArtichoke roasted in olive oil
There is a weed called “Cyperus Esculentus” or “Chufa” and it can be found in the wild. In Spain, it is also cultivated for its edible root bulb. The root bulb is used to create a non-alcoholic beverage called “Horchata de Chufa”, which is very refreshing in the summer.
horchata de chufa is a sweet, milk-like beverage in Spain.
Chocolate and Churros is a very popular treat in Spain. The pastry is dipped in hot chocolate which is very tasty.
Chocolate with Churros, a popular Spanish treat.
We have learned a tremendous amount about the Spanish cuisine and culture. The Spaniards celebrate eating and make it part of their social activities. They will take hours to enjoy a meal which will include staying at the table long after the meal is finished socializing for hours.
Tapas are an important part of the culture and part of the social fabric of Spain. When a beer is served at a pub or restaurant normally a tapa is also served. The tapas can range from simple peanuts to very complex tapas.
Tapa of mixed nuts
The food and culture in Spain are certainly different from North America. They tend to eat healthier, enjoy the social aspect of “breaking bread with friends” and celebrate the activity of eating.
The visit to the Alcoy museum was very interesting. We enjoyed walking through the museum admiring the costumes and reading about the history of the fiesta. It is amazing to see how they maintain the history of a battle between the Christians and the Moors that occurred in 1276.
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