San Isidro 2009

Angela and Karen were here to experience how the Spanish party. San Isidro is a great fiesta to choose, my favourite fiesta of the year. A bonus this year as the fiesta fell on a Friday. No need to worry about a sore head at work on the Saturday. Well, Monica had to worry about it…


Angela leads the procession.

Monica and the girls went into town to meet up with the Carroza of the school. They were carrying all the booze for the party and almost missed the start. For once, the San Isidro procession set-off on time. I missed all the procession from the Balcon and through the town as I was at work until 2pm. I caught them up as they passed near Paraiso Blanco.


Angela, Monica and Karen enjoying the Romería.

It was a beautiful, hot, Sunny day. San Isidro is normally seen as the start of summer in Nerja. I think it came a couple of weeks early this year. Everyone was enjoying the walk. The local girls dressed in their colourful flamenco dresses. The odd stop resulted in dancing the sevillano for most. An opportune moment to get more food and drink from the Carroza for me. The carroza was pulled by two “bueys”. All the carts being pulled by animals were to the front of the procession. It seemed that we made it to the caves quicker that the last time we went with a Carroza pulled by a tractor.


Horseriders passby on the way to the caves.


Dancing in the street.

At the caves it was time to unload the Carroza and find a picnic spot on the grass. A suitable place was found and more food and drink were consumed. Being with the school gave me a chance to improve my Spanish. Mari-Carmen, Natali and the girls tried to teach me a “piropos”, a Spanish chat up line. Something to do with chocolate sweets and the sunshine. I completely got it wrong and Monica wasn’t impressed “I’m a chocolate Bombon in the sun melting?”. Needs more practice.


Picnic with the school.

We had a great time visiting all the mini fiestas that take place around the sight. Watching the kids, young ladies and women take it in turns on one of the stages showing off their sevillano moves with their albanicos. Later it was party time in the “Tutti-Frutti” zone. Probably the only time of the year you don’t have to be up at 3am to enjoy it. Fran eventually joined us after failing to make the walk after the night before. The teachers from Quorum had been to the party the night before until gone 5am. Fran was the only one not to make it. Lightweight or “Maricon” as Mari-Carmen said!


Flamenco show.


Partying with the Teachers!

Before the sun went down it was time for us to leave the party and go for our traditional walk to Burriana Beach. The colours from the flowers and the sun reflecting on the sea make it a magical walk along the cliffs. A relaxing drink at H20 is another tradition that was duly celebrated. Viva San Isidro!


Walk back to Burriana.