Monday, June 17, 2013

The Fabulous Cordoba Feria




We set off to the the Cordoba feria, nice and early.  The plan was to leave home about 8.30 pm and have just a couple of hours there, as Maisie being just over 3 would of course be pretty tired.  Alan had the bright idea of parking in one of the shopping centre car parks, it's free and about the same distance to walk as it is from the official feria car park, which we remembered cost a whacking 8 euros last year.  Suprise suprise that car park and every other in the vecinity were full, so after driving round Cordoba for about an hour Alan relented and we headed to the official car park, we had probably spent more than the 8euros in petrol driving around!

We followed the crowds all decked out in our finest, especially the gorgeous Maisie, and we arrived at the edge of the huge feria ground.  The music was loud, and the children and ladies all around us were in their tradition Spanish gypsy dress and immediately Maisie burst into a little dance, she was very excited!  


We strolled up and down watching the fair ground rides, which this year included the largest temporary big wheel in Europe.  Oh how we laugh at Spain's lack of health and safety issues, as adults and small children are literally thrown from rides much to all the hilarity of everyone watching.  The rides for children are second to none, and have mini varitions of most of the adult rides.  The only "ride"  I do not enjoy watching is the merry go round with real miniature horses on it.  Most children I'm sure would love to ride on one, however I wish it would be on open land and not going round and round in circles.  The animals all look in very good condition although I'm not sure how long they "work" for, or if there is water for them to drink ... if they ever get a break of course!

The feria which every city, town and even small village has, really is the highlight of the year for it's townsfolk.  Many businesses close for the duration as most people party hard throughout the night... most nights!  As well as the fairground rides which attract mainly the young families with children and teens, they are many marquees for eating drinking and practicing your Sevillana or flamenco dancing.  I love to peer into them and watch the dancing.  The passion and attitude is wonderful to watch.

We were all getting a little peckish after walking up and down smelling the familiar fairground food, so we stopped for a bite to eat.  Hot dogs (although the sausages looked rather like dead men's fingers), with chips and drinks, and then we then hunted out a churros stall.  Maisie is a tad fussy with her food, and doesn't eat chips would you believe, although when her dad forced a little chocolate from the cup that the churros gets dunked into, it was an instant hit, and she pretty much devoured the rest of that, bless her.

The time flew by and about 2am for the very first time during the holiday Maisie had a little cry.  That was only because her naughty dad was smoking so he wouldn't pick her up.  The cigarette was hastily stubbed out, I'm pleased to say, so little Maisie got her cuddle and it was time to go home.

It was the perfect end to having the family over for a holiday!

Feria Entrance

My Beautiful Maisie

 Wow that's one big wheel

The fun of the feria

For the little ones too!

Someone is having a great time!

Shame these are a little blurry!

With "Grandad Alan" too!

Mark, Laura (or Nora as Maisie calls her) and my little cutie Maisie

I just love to see the children all dressed up.  Of course I always ask permission to take the photos and the parents are always very happy and proud for me to do so, although Alan gets very embarrassed about me doing this!

This little lad was dancing so fast it was difficult to capture him!

Another gorgeous tot!




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