valencia - some comments
What can one say about Valencia during St. Joseph’s Festival in the Spring. The falla are quite exciting and everywhere you look there seem to be more. The energy is positive. The crowds are both enormous and well-behaved. It seems a wonderful time for one and all.
I would say a bit like New Orleans during Mardi Gras only with more people and less alcohol. I would say that except I have not been to New Orleans—at least during Mardi Gras.
I would say like First Night in Burlington, Vermont—which I have attended on numerous occasions—except without the cold and with less music. And, although Valencia is a family affair it seems less so then First Night.
Perhaps I should not compare a Spanish festival to gatherings in the US—although, of course, Mardi Gras does have a distinct French favor.
Still, as a friend says, energy is energy—and the energy in Valencia during festival feels quite good.
And maybe the burning of the falla is like the Buddhist tradition of destroying sand mandalas shortly after they are created.
Ah, and memories remind me of New York Times on New Year’s eve with the vast number of people. And the fourth of July with the fireworks.
Still, with the falla it’s a bit different from all of the above. As many festivals it has an energy and flavor all it’s own and I hope you enjoy some of the pictures I took while I was there.