The trick they have mastered in Spain is to hold vast series of fiestas, but only on workdays. That way they won’t affect your weekend.
It’s Monday 11th April – time to get the 
Band back together .
First pick at Aeropuerto de Alicante is my favourite Magyar – Brigitta Maria Csitkovics….it’s great to see her after all this time.
Quick Coffee and Straight to a bar to meet some other Caministas – Lucia and Paulo – lovely people and great Conversation. 
There is a phenomenal buzz about the city as it’s the start of the spring fiesta week. Each day there will be a huge parade, representing each part of the regions, traditional economy. Today we have the farmers and growers tomorrow will be the fisherman . They are big into celebrating the abundance of produce in this fantastic climate — it’s all about the Huerta .
Outside the bar
To the Plaza Mayor – it’s Packed
Everywhere you turn, there are enthusiastic , excited people in traditional dress only too willing to share a photograph.
And the video opportunities are endless so I apologize in advance. If you’re watching this on the trail, you may need Wi-Fi.
I love the sound of this regions version of bagpipes – it’s entirely unique
But you can’t beat a rousing brass band playing a number you would hear before many a bullfight or run , or at the San Firmin Festival in Pamplona.
The start of the parade that celebrates the traditional themed celebration of farming abundance.
This time, Bakers, Onion Sellers, Oxen …
Nothing is excluded – the traditional dress, represented by specific communities and societies is displayed on immense floats, towed by spotless tractors, driven by proud farmers .
But remarkably it was this particular group . A castanet orchestra with the way they moved that stood out.
Is that the giant king and queen, Ferdinand and Isabella to end the first parade ?
Well, at least we thought so but we saw people gathering buckets and moving towards the front. They clearly knew something that we didn’t ………
This was the craziest end of any parade I have seen, as all sorts of produce was thrown into the crowd.
I love this attitude to health and safety. Potatoes, eggs, wrapped in foil, cauliflowers, sweets, chocolates, and one very popular float, handing out small bottles, beer and Brandy as far as I can make out.
People we were with said that a lot of people don’t go grocery shopping at festival time . 
There were very few tourists about. It’s early in the season and people who know the country better than I do. They call this “real” Spain – I recall practicing my Spanish in one or two bars later as in real Spain, that’s exactly what you’re forced to do. I think the learning method is referred to as “total immersion“
At least I think they were referring to that and not the amount of Estrella Galicia consumed in the town that night.
Unsurprisingly I have a few photos Possibly due to battery failure after all those videos. Lucias friend Maria had booked a five bed apartment from Airbnb which I only have a record of from my Airbnb booking screen 

Very nice it was too . 
A perfect celebration day, and a great start to our Long reunion weekend.
Xxxxxxx