I didn't do as much. I am so tired every day! No matter what time of the day or night it is there is always a band or drums or firecrackers going off or someone yelling. INSANE. They expect you to stay up until 8 a.m. to celebrate, but then they start more activities at 9 or something. It's crazy. So crazy. The firecrackers that everyone sets off are louder and more frequent every day. Seriously. I understand why all the old people in Valencia leave for this week!
Anyways, I woke up and tried to go to the mascletá at 14.00...I took at shower, since that was the only time I could get to the bathroom at my flat, and ended up leaving for the mascletá at 13.50, bad idea. It has progressively getting more crowded, and I didn't even make it to the plaza de Ayuntamiento there were so many people. I heard it still of course. I guess in all reality you don't see much, you just plug your ears from the extremely loud noise of the fireworks. I then went home and hung out there for a little while before leaving for Plaza de la Virgen. They were starting what was called the Ofrenda at 15.30. La Ofrenda is where the falleras, representatives of each falla or barrio (neighborhood), come to the Plaza de la Virgen to offer flowers to the large figure of Mary in front of the cathedral. They cover Mary's entire body with flowers that were offered and other flowers are placed in the fountain that is there as well. It takes 2 days of this Ofrenda to cover all of it. The falleras are dressed in extravagant gowns and in traditional dress. I think at least hundreds of falleras walked past me while I watched, and I stayed for 2 and a half hours. They are starting it again here soon. I then went home and slept. I am not used to this crazy schedule. I am sick too, :( so I figured I needed to rest. I then stayed in my apartment until around 12 when Josh came and we went over to Jonas's house and watched the fireworks on the rooftop of his flat. We had an excellent view of all the fireworks without the ridiculous crowd. We hung out at his flat for a little while, and then went down to the streets to check out what was going on. They have street parties on pretty much every block. So many fiestas!! We saw one of Josh's friends in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento from England so we chatted with him for a while. They had some petardos, so I lit one so I could say I participated in Fallas a little more! But then I felt bad! Cause some of the debris got in some guys' eyes. So one was enough. I learned my lesson. Not nice! Starbucks was open at 4 a.m. so we went in and sat there for a while. Then Josh walked me home and I got some more churros con chocolate!! I gotta get 'em while I can! :) Yummy.
Today. I'm probably going to head over to the Plaza de la Virgen to see a little bit more of the L'Ofrena.
I'll update again soon! Xx
P.S. a good popular Spanish song right now you should listen to- Rayos del Sol by Jose De Rico or Bailando por Ahi by Juan Magan.
How fun to be in the middle of a world class celebration and to experience it all week! People travel and pay big bucks to see a day or two. No hotels available, they're all booked, but you have a friend's apartment to get one of the best "watch it all" seats in the house. Thanks for sharing your experience. (on the down side, hope you get some good sleep this week and feel better!)
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