Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?

The rain is supposed to be on its way, but it kindly held off so we could visit Feria. San Geraldo and I took the bus. But, the bus got crowded. So we gave up our seats and stood by an open window to get some air. We were still hot and uncomfortable. So, having walked 10 minutes to reach the bus, having spent 20 minutes on the bus, we got off early and walked the last 20 minutes — a total of 50 minutes for what should have been a 35-minute walk. But we now know another bus route and I had the charming company of the infinitely fascinating San Geraldo.

COLOR-COORDINATION?  SEEN ON OUR WAY TO THE BUS.

COLORFUL PERSONALITY.  MEETING SOMEONE AT THE BUS STOP.
SOMEONE WAS APPARENTLY ON “SEVILLA TIME” AND THIS LADY WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

The light wasn’t ideal for picture-taking (but I took pictures anyway). We passed some of the 1,040 casetas. We saw beautiful horses, riders, and carriages (all were beautiful — not just the horses). The children on horseback were exceptional. Jerry wondered aloud if he would look as good on a horse if he wore the short jacket and hat. I reminded him that he had never met a horse from which he hadn’t fallen or been thrown. (He didn’t need reminding.)

We strolled through the enormous, excruciatingly loud and noisy midway; ate a good (and healthy) lunch, unfortunately adjacent to the excruciatingly loud and noisy midway; and then walked all the way home (with a stop half-way for a couple of mango frappuccinos and dulce de leche cheesecake — just to give us strength).

BETTING ON A DARK HORSE IN BAD LIGHT.

I DON’T KNOW HOW ANYONE TOOK A CARRIAGE RIDE BEFORE THE ADVENT OF THE MOBILE PHONE.

A PAUSE IN THEIR PROMENADE.

THERE WAS A “MEGA” KANGURO BEHIND ME. A TRULY MEGA-MAXI MIDWAY.

WHERE’S WALDO… I MEAN… GERALDO?
(IN SPAIN, THE “WHERE’S WALDO” BOOKS ARE CALLED “¿DONDE ESTÁ WALLY?)

A STREET PERFORMER IN LOS REMEDIOS, A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE FAIR.
(SOMEONE SHOULD TELL HIM: SEMANA SANTA IS SO TWO WEEKS AGO.)

Author: Moving with Mitchell

From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..

31 thoughts on “Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?”

  1. I can't believe that the street performance artist in the last photo shaved his dog to look like a lamb and spray-painted it silver-grey. The harridan with the huge flower in her hair at the bus-stop is a classic! I can't imagine anyone rushing to meet her, late or otherwise…

  2. Good of the both of you to burn off the calories in the end. I'm not talking of the half-way refreshings, those are for another day.

  3. Chris:
    The noise of midways are always assaultive, but this was by far the loudest I've ever experienced. I could feel vibrations in my head. Stoned? That would be one really bad trip.

  4. I'm beginning to think that there are parades and festivals and fairs and pageants every single day there.
    How glorious.

    1. John:
      And boy are you ever in trouble! She took one last look at her watch, muttering aloud the entire time, and then stromped on the bus. I think her last words as she sat down were, "¡Ese niño maldito!," which I think means "That damned boy!"

  5. Love those horses! Incredible! Now that is a fair! Looks like a huge carnival. Were most of the participants younger people? We too would have found this too noisy….we (Ron and I) are SO OLD!
    Loved John's comment…..his mother will get him from beyond for that!

    1. Jim:
      It was the largest carnival sideshow I've seen. During the day, it's all ages, but we actually didn't see the teens and 20-somethings that much in the afternoon. At night, the casetas are filled with mature (in age) adults and the streets outside the casetas are filled with late teens and early 20-somethings partying to the extreme (but the adults in the casetas aren't far behind). The noise in the carnival area was, sadly, beyond extreme and we were there when there weren't that many people around. I can only imagine what it gets like later on (and come the weekend… although it's supposed to rain).

    2. Ha! (Oops, I'm in Spain…) Ja! Jim should probably speak for himself if he knows what's good for him. Jerry has me beat by 5 years. So, no matter how old I get, he's always especially OLD!

  6. Last time I was in an El Corte Ingles, there was a sub-department in the Men's department called Vaquero. Is that where the men and boys on the horses go to buy their outfits?

    The riot of color and pattern is just marvelous!

  7. Will:
    If you followed that "Vaqueros" sign, you would have ended up buying a pair of "Jeans."

    I had to stop myself from displaying every photo I took. A "riot of color" is a perfect description.

    1. Ur-spo:
      I think Silver Jesus got lost on his way home from Semana Santa.

      Sadly, my style still reflects my coming of age in NYC — shades of black. Sevilla is inspiring me to step out with some color. (I think I'll start with brown…)

    2. fie on 'brown'. and gray, and 'ash'
      scarlet and gold, and sky blue (not together) are always good.
      And think pink is a marvelous mantra.

  8. Mitch,
    Some of those costumes scare me, like kids are afraid of clowns! Love the horses though. I very often stop halfway for some refreshment, it's the only sensible thing to do darlink!
    Di
    X

    1. Oh, Yonks, I didn't show you the truly scary ones. Jerry and I both actually commented that they looked like clown costumes. Most, however, were joyful.

      After 30 years with Jerry, I know that most walks require a stop for a treat!

    2. What a blissful comment about Jerry! This only comes with time, love and enjoying each others presence. I hope you guys share many more treats!
      Love
      Di
      X

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