LAS FALLAS de Valencia

I feel like I can be considered a veteran of the whole extreme fourth of July Evanston experience. I mean what has it been now like six or seven years? Every year we risk our lives as we enter into that war zone. We may get a hit to the car, or even to the leg. We have been known to start fires in the fields, but do I have something to top it or what? It is called Las Fallas, and it takes place in Valencia Spain every year during Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Every year the best falla artists spend six months or more constructing the most detailed elaborate floats to compete for first prize. The two in the pictures were second and first, respectively. All through the day herd, litterally millions, of people walk around the city looking at all the floats, while hooligans run around letting off firecrackers about every two minutes. It is a whole family affair. They do big firework shows about every two hours, in the day and night! It is a crazy atmosphere. There are about four greasy churro stands on every street, cotton candy, musicians, it is just great! At one point there was a huge marching band going down the street, so I jumped in and danced along side, it was just great fun At midnight the tradition is to light the floats on fire! We knew that it would be packed to see the fire so we lined up and made camp in front of the second place float. This was at 9:30. We sat and stood and talked and stood some more til at 11:00 they hurded us behind some barriers so the could prepare the falla. The whole Boberos were there. We sat huddled like sardines as we watched them wind fire works in and out of the float and then surround the float with them. We thought that they would light it at 12, but we found out later that because it was the second best they lit it second to last. At 1:15 after we could barely stand anymore, after about 20 times of chanting Fuega Fuega, and just when we couldn't play any more games, they prepared for lighting. The bomberos were ready with their huge hoses and all was in place. They lit the fuse and like a domino effect everything began to blow up! It was crazy loud. We were right in front, as a result of waiting for so long, so we had a great show! I put this video on even though it is really short it gives you the idea of the noise and chaos! It was truly a once in a life time cultural experience! Being awake for almost 24 hours was worth it for the fun we had!