This past week was packed full with cultural experiences. Between pig organs and topless beaches, I experienced quite a bit. There wasn't much internship-ing this week as it was the biggest holiday of the year here, Corpus Christi. The entire week filled the streets with activities and processions. We went to see the cultural procession on Wednesday which included giant versions of Isabel and Ferdinand and all the major people of the country's history here. It included a giant dragon with a mannequin riding it wearing the coming year's hottest flamenco dress. Probably the craziest thing in this procession, people dressed with giant heads of people of history whacking people (especially children) on the head with blown up (like balloons) pig organs. And it wasn't a little bop either, these guys were aggressive with their whacks which is why I backed away the minute I saw them coming (and also the fact that I didn't want pig organ on my head). It was truly an incredible experience and definitely one I will never forget.
Later that night, we had tickets for a flamenco show in the Sacromonte. To say it was incredible is an understatement. I'm pretty sure I was smiling the entire time. The way they moved their feet and hands was so graceful and intricate it blew my mind. The show was an hour long, but it seriously felt like five minutes. The dancers were mesmerizing and I will never forget that experience.
Thursday we saw the big Catholic procession and went to the fair, the two biggest events of Corpus Christi. The procession was very long, but seeing the Eucharist and the little girls and boys who had their first communion this past year were definitely the highlights. The fair was so much fun. We went on a couple rides, I almost had a panic attack on the ferris wheel because apparently I'm much more afraid of heights than I thought. But, I survived and we went to see the rest of the fair which included many restaurants and clubs.
Saturday morning we left for the beach and started one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. We arrived at Almuñecar to find a stunning beach covered with small smooth rocks and blue green water. After grocery shopping and cooking some frozen pizzas, we walked right down to the beach and hopped in the water. It was like a dream, a full blown salt water dream. The water was just the right temperature to cool you down but still be nice to swim in and it was so salty that you could just sit and float, no swimming needed. I could have stayed in that water all day, but I still had my pale white Maine skin and I needed to get a golden tan. That tan turned into a very very painful burn even though I had 50SPF on. You live and you learn I guess. We spent the rest of that day on the beach and the entirety of the next one there as well. It was heaven.
The week (especially the end of it) was incredible and it made me so grateful to be here. And for future reference, I don't plan on that being the last time I swim in the Mediterranean.
