Algorta and Bilbao

For the last couple of weeks, the Basque Country has been all a twitter with festivals - even more than usual - because most people have the month of August for vacations. The first week after Greece the festivals had moved to Getxo in the 'barrios' of Algorta and Puerto Viejo.

Algorta held a competition for cuadrillas (groups of friends) with varying competitions on each day. My favorite of these competitions was 'la bajada' which was a parade of the different groups all having different themes. These ranged from firefighters, to slip n' sliders in the street, to Willie Wonky and the Chocolate Factory, to guys ballerinas, to a group imitating a Spanish game show that involves filling a small car with various items. This time: How many Basques can you fit in a tiny car? As it turns out, eight, and one in the trunk. Friday was the jaiak in Puerto Viejo which is the old port in Getxo. The location was amazing as it was right on the sea and the weather couldn't have been better.

Saturday marked the beginning of Aste Nagusia (Bilbao's festival) so Ibai and I hosted a lunch with our good friends at our place to kick off the festivities. After the lunch we headed down into Bilbao for the txupinazo where a rocket is launched and Marijaia (the festival's saint) appears. She makes her way from txosna to txosna to open each one and then the alcohol flows for the next 8 days. The plaza in front of Arriaga Theatre was absolutely packed with people dancing and singing the Marijaia song (click here to see). The entire city of Bilbao packed with people partying well into the wee hours of the morning. Then during the day there's everything from 'food of the world', rides, street performances, a giant circus, and more. Also, my personal favorite inclusion of the festivities; the world fireworks competition with a different country competing each night. The best part - the park two minutes from my flat is the best place to view the fireworks from.

Hasta la proximá vez or when I'm in CANADA in two days!!

Kathlene