General Chat

My dog is going mad - the Spanish are having the fallas this weekend and they have just set off loads of fire crackers - the noise is deafening - what with the bangs and the dog barking. Oh peace - it has all stopped.-............ Love Mary xx

Oh Mary the poor dog. and you Hope your ok put some ear plugs in catherine xx

Catherine - this will go on until next Monday or should I say early hours of Tuesday. Last night there were fire crackers going off and our poor dog ran all the way home dragging us with her - and she is almost 14 years old. Funny really fireworks in UK never bothered her but these fire crackers are different. Love Mary xx

Poor you and pooch Mary. So far we seem to be okay ......just the odd one a couple of nights ago, but the week-end will be different when they all ascend on their w/end homes. ***must remember to put doggy earmuffs on shopping list*** Take care Jac

It was carnival in Lanzarote while we were there but strangely no fireworks at all this time, lots of very noisy bads playing though. Ann Glos

Anne the Spanish here love noise - a few years ago some friends were over here and we took them to Denia. There were fire crackers strung across the road and the noise was deafening - could not hear properly for ages. Still they enjoy it - so when in Rome !!! Jacqui - they are so noisy - they are busy putting the fallas up and then they will burn them starting midnight on Monday. We have friends coming out Sunday so at least they will be able to see them before they get burnt. Always seems such a waste of money to me - but I do like to see the parades with everyone in national dress - even the little ones are included. So sweet. Take care Love Mary xx

Hi Mary, Could you tell me what the Fallas is please and what they do? I like finding out about the customs and celebrations in other countries. Jan

Oooooo yes Mary, please tell us what Fallas are! I can bring it up as a topic of conversation in my next Spanish class. We like to distract our tutor like this.....it means there's less time for practising grammar! LOL ;-))))))

thanks for that Mary, when I get around to it I will add a bit about the Lanzarote traditions for their carnival. Strange they are supposed to be part of Spain but have their own traditions and are fiercely independent. Ann Glos

Hi Mary Thanks for telling me about the fallas - it sounds really good and I like things like that - wish I coud see it! :-) I'm going to go onto google now to see if I can find any photos about it. Jan

Hi Jan They build cartoon type characters made of wood and paper mache depicting life - and take the p*** out of the politicians etc. These are built in the roads - so roads shut off which makes for loads of traffic etc. - they are judged and the best one is burnt to the ground last. Houses are hosed down before the burn up and firemen are at hand obviously. They are really good to see but we do not always understand the meaning of them. During the day there are parades with men and women in national costume and the children too. Some of the children are babies been pushed in prams or pushchairs. The Spanish are far more family orientated than the English and always include their children. Pity I cannot put pics up so you could see - perhaps if you googled Spanish Fallas you might get a better idea. Hope this explains a little - should add it first started to clean up and get ready for spring - burning all the wood etc. Love Mary xx

Hi Mary Hope that you are OK sweetie and your dog. My dogs used to hate fireworks night how long will it be going on for do you know?. Well you take good care of yourself and your doggy. Angels are with you. Take care. Lynne

Thanks for the explanation Mary