Feria in the Spring

Two weeks ago, we headed to the Feria de Abril de Catalunya. This is the region's version of the Feria de Abril in Sevilla, where the gaeity has been happening since 1847. They've taken the flavor of Spain's south: flamenco dresses, flowers in women's hair, dancing Sevillanas, drinking, chowing on tapas, festival rides, and all the blessed merriment.

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Women singing in their colorful flamenco dresses, or trajes de gitana. Sigh, so beautiful.
Blanca bought Paloma a bright traje de gitana a few days before the fair. Necklace, flower, and all! Wasn't that sweet?

An avenue of feriantes, festive-goers of the feria. They're peeking in the casetas, individual tents where there's a kitchen/bar, tables, and room for dancin' fools.
Traditional striped decorations and hanging lights in red and white inside a caseta.
A girl and her little sister dressed up for the fun.

Adult version of P's dress.

I was really impressed by these young girls dancing flamenco, Paloma's future. Where can we sign up for classes? Olé!
The wild bunch. Blanca, Jorge, Fernando, and Sweet P in front of a caseta.
Dancing Sevillanas. One day I'll learn...Hitting up the big wheel where all the attractions are.
The size of the games and attractions area was 100 times this picture.

Jorge won a keychain playing this carnival game of point and shoot.

This ride is making me sick watching it.

Balloons! For a mere five euro each! How many licensed characters do you recognize?

With all the different colors, crazy lights and festival sounds, Paloma couldn't stop saying, "O-o-o-o-o-ohhh".
More "O-o-o-o-o-ohhh".
Dreaming of a time when she'll be big enough to bump someone's boat out of the water.
Nighttime has fallen. Time to party, familia!
Fernando and Jorge took a spin in the bumper cars three times in a row.

I'm worried about the youth today.

Tapas on display. The kids hanging out in the caseta.
A classic feria dish: fried green peppers!

Time for some drinking and debauchery.
Chug! Chug! Chug! Paloma downed a Coco Loco. Next round's on her!
All the ladies in the house say, "Ho-o-o!"

At the exit, we found this guy who hits up fairs around Spain to sell home decor on the cheap. He opens the back of his truck, puts on a head mic, and magically creates an audience and eager buyers. Genius!
Time to go home.

We parted at the metro stop. Hasta luego, Blanca and Jorge! It was fun!