On Sunday, September 25th (my sister's birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY!), the morning after I returned from orientation from Madrid, I went with my host parents to a pueblo called Corella (Kor-ay-a). Corella is where my host mother Marta grew up and it is where her mother lives. My host sister Ana goes to Corella many weekends because she has a lot of friends there. We went to Corella for "Las Fiestas" which happens once a year. Each city/town in Spain has a huge festival that usually lasts one week and goes 24/7 non-stop! Corella is a stereotypical old world european city. It has very narrow streets with many hills. Some of the streets are stone and there are some of the most beautiful old buildings I have ever seen!
When we arrived in Corella, there was a wild fire next to the road which was very surprising and not surprising at all at the same time. It was surprising because it's not something you see everyday but it also wasn't surprising because it is SO dry and hot here! I've been here since August 30th and hasn't rained once. We passes with care and made it to "Abuelita's" house. There I met Marta's mother and brother. Abuelita greeted me with "besos", a kiss on each cheek, and by putting a red bandana around my neck. White clothing and a red bandana and belt is the traditional dress for the fiestas in Corella. As for the "besos", that is common here, anytime you greet a girl here, you give kisses on both cheeks. Even if it is the first time you are meeting them! After meeting Marta's mother and brother, we left the house and walked around the city for a while and met up with Ana who went to Corella two days before. There were so many people in the streets! There was also music, dancing, food and drinks, performances, vendors, and a fair.
After about an hour or so, we all returned to Marta's mother's house for lunch. One of Marta's other brothers, his wife, and one of Marta's sisters had arrived while we were out. Marta is one of six children. After lunch, I went with Ana and met all of her friends. There were so many and I can't remember all of their names but they all were very nice and friendly. We all walked around and took in the sights of the festival then we went and hung out in their "cuarto". Here, many times and group of friends will have what is known as a "cuarto" together. It is like a studio apartment just for all of them to hang out throughout the year. In the cuarto that Ana has with her friends, there is a kitchenette, a bathroom, a few couches and chairs, a t.v., and a stereo. I thought this was very cool and wish that we had them in the United States. Later on, Ana, her friends, and I went out again, ate dinner, and went to the carnival. At the carnival, Ana and I had a run in with some gypsies on the bumper cars because we bumped them. I didn't see what the problem was being as we were on the BUMPER cars! After the ride ended, we jumped off and ditched them in the crowd. We then went dancing and singing in the streets along with most of Corella. There were so many people! Jose Miguel and Marta returned to Zaragoza earlier in the day. Ana and I didn't get back to Marta's mother's house until 5:30 a.m. and man was I tired! I went straight to bed.
We played hooky from school on Monday. We woke up at 9:00 a.m. There was a running of the bulls and a performance with a matador in "La Plaza de Toros." Did you think the running of the bulls was in Pamplona? So did I! It turns out that most places have a running of the bulls during their "fiestas", the one in Pamplona is just one of the biggest and the most famous. Ana and I met her friends in the "Plaza de Toros" to watch the performance which was incredible! It was so great to see because it is typical of spanish culture. Unfortunately, we didn't actuallt get to see the running of the bulls because we were already in the "Plaza de Toros." After the performance, Ana, her friends, and I went to their "cuarto" for a little while then Ana and I said our goodbyes. We returned to Abuelita's house for lunch and then went to the bus station. We took a bus to a nearby town to take the train back to Zaragoza. I hope to see Ana's friends in Corella again because they were all so nice and friendly. I'm sure I will because Ana goes to Corella very often. It was such an awesome weekend! It was by far the most exciting and fun-filled weekend I've had here so far!
Until next time, Brian
Ana and I
Foam Party
Foam Party
Foam Party
Parade
(I don't know why its sideways. Sorry!)
To be continued...
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