San Fermin is a Fiesta!

Well... I have NEVER experienced ANYTHING like I did last night. I can´t wait to show you all pictures, but more importantly, video. After our RESTS on the benches, we decided to walk our bags from 1 storage place to another... BIG mistake. Man that sucked because it had to have been pushin 95 out... ouch! So, our feet hurt and we were exhausted... we put our bags in the train station and decided that the train station in Pamplona was our favorite place and I know we´re not alone in that! We took more rests on the grass, but Quynh and I woke up early and decided to head in for the festivities early.

When we got there, we were worried that there wouldn´t be as many people as the previous day and were quickly surprised to find a shit load of people in their Sangria-stained white clothing still sporting the red bandanas and sashes! So, we watched the most AMAZING fireworks display ever! The finale was just incredable.

So, got a tiny bit bummed missin someone cuz you know how fireworks are! But, got over that and then we moved to the closing ceremony in the square by this really cool clock tower building. Everyone came and there was a band that entered playing music that everyone was signing along to. They got up on stage and EVERYONE started singing and jumping and waving their bandanas in the air... it was unbelievable! I´ve really never seen anything like it before!

They sang and sang for about 25 minutes... all songs that everyone knew. At one point (i have pictures) they put their bandanas up in between their hands (streatched out) and rocked back and forth with candles in their hands too. At the end, they set off LOUD fireworks that sounded like gun shot and everyone cheered and cheered! When everyone was filing out, we witnessed a pretty cool tradition... they take their candles and stick them to a predetermined area of bleachers... and I mean, all over... they dump the wax and then make the candle stand in it. Then, they tie their bandanas to the fence as well and if they don´t do that, they take the off and wrap them around their wrist... It was really amazing.

Ok... so, we walked for a bit, found the other two and started drinking... which is when we met some really cool locals... one of them was the international bag pipe champion and he played the bagpipes while he just walked around. They were so nice and I talked quite a bit to one person all night... they wouldn´t let us buy any drinks, which was kinda cool, and they didn´t even live in Pamplona!

It was really fun and I never went to bed... the bars stay open all night and day so when I left, they were still open. One of the guys I was talking to all night knew english well and the other didn´t and became frustrated because he kept asking the other to translate. So, I worked with him on how to do hand gestures to try and communicate and he did it and was pretty happy, but it was still hard for him. We also stopped and I was able to drum with him on the street... he was amazing. They all played instruments and were just so nice...

So, I successfully made it to the bus (the second one, not the first one) and made my way to Bilbao... where I am taking a break while it rains now. I just spent 4 hours, yes I know, in the Guggenheim... oh my goodness... Most of you know me and museums (Meliss) and I usually can´t take them for very long... I liked DÓrsay, thought the Louvre was way too big, but enjoyed the sculptures, but this... this was unbelievable... I saw EVERY piece in the place and even read and listened to a guided tour while doing so! I know i know! amazing huh? The building itself is as breathtaking as I would have hoped. Again, pictures to come as soon as I can plug in. Tonight I take the night train to Barcelona where I will arrive to a beautiful sounding breakfast... mmmm... and a shower... finally...

going to enjoy this beautiful city for a couple more hours though! It IS REALLY REALLY beautiful and sweet here...

Talk to you all soon :) Jess

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