AT SOME point in your life, you decided to swap the grey skies of Northern Europe for the sunnier climes of Southern Spain. Or you were born here. Good for you! And now, us lily-livered ‘extranjeros’ find ourselves midway through the full-on summer fiesta season. Some of the town fiestas south of Granada span four or five days, requiring both stamina and planning. This is important if we are to enjoy them in style, like our Spanish hosts, and not become either a ‘gamba’ (burnt prawn) or a casualty case.
Here are our top tips for both surviving and thriving at these colourful and sometimes physically-demanding events.
Hydrate or die-drate
Let’s start with the basics: hydration. You’re not in rainy Newcastle anymore (bearing in mind that the UK is currently enjoying summer temps of 13C accompanied by constant drizzle!). It’s hot. ‘Mucho calor’. You might choose to consume a few “refreshing” summer drinks, such as sangria, ‘tinto de verano’, or mojitos. However, these are all delicious but dehydrating. It is, after all, alcohol. For every glass of booze you drink, chug a glass of water. Yes, you’ll be popping to the loo more frequently (if you can find one!), but at least you won’t faint while queuing for the communal paella in the municipal plaza.
If you’re in a small village without shops open for the entire day of the fiesta, ensure that you have enough water with you. Stock up beforehand. Carry a refillable water bottle and take advantage of any public fountains. Running low on water is no joke, especially when Aemet (the Spanish ‘met office’) has been issuing warnings about the heat. And you’ll pay more for ‘agua’ in bars than if you bring your own bottle.
Siesta like a local
Embrace the siesta. This isn’t just cultural quirk – it’s a survival mechanism. Parties in Spain don’t usually start until the time that Britain calls last orders. If you’ve ever moaned about pubs closing at 11 pm, you’re in for a treat. Fiestas can go on until dawn. So, find a shady spot, lie down, and nap like your life depends on it. Because it kind of does.
Stay cool
Being cool isn’t just about your outfit and maintaining the right fiesta vibe. To avoid frazzling yourself after running up and down the main street watching the flamenco show, literally find ways to cool down. A quick dip in the local ‘piscina municipal’ (municipal pool), or your hotel pool (if you have one) can work wonders to lower your body temperature. If there’s no pool available, a cold shower or splashing yourself with water can help. However, use your common sense. Don’t decide to jump naked into the municipal fountain after a few ‘vinos’ – it’s not a good look!
Mind your dress code
Dressing for the prevailing temperature, as well as the event, is important. Ditch the polyester and any other fabrics that don’t breathe. Light, airy clothes are your friends. Think linen shirts, sundresses, and sandals. Leave your socks at home. And be sure to wear sunscreen. Nothing screams “tourist” like lobster-red skin. Add a colorful and stylish hat to keep the sun’s rays off your face, and ladies, remember the daily face cream with SPF protection. Take a pretty fan. Also, avoid killer heels unless you enjoy hobbling home after a couple of hours, or falling over and spraining an ankle. Stick in the daytime to comfortable shoes – your feet will thank you. If you must wear heels, carry them to the nighttime dancing and have a change of flats available in your bag.
Eat enough to keep going
This might sound obvious but, with a full fiesta programme on the go, it’s easy to skip breakfast, and maybe lunch as well. You don’t want to feel weak and dizzy in the heat while people dance around you. Fiesta food can be delicious but overpriced, and tapas can be hard to obtain in the municipal bar because of the crowds and general chaos. Make sure you eat enough to keep your energy levels up. If you’re on a budget, grab some snacks from a supermarket before the fiesta starts. Keep a stash of nuts, fruits, and protein bars in your bag. These can save the day if your blood sugar starts dipping.
Pace yourself with the drinkies
When ordering at the bar, remember that fiestas are a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t want to be the ‘guiri’ who peaked too early and then passed out with his head on the table. Also, it’s sensible to start on the ‘cerveza’ and work up to the ‘mojito’ – don’t make yourself feel debilitated before the party really starts. Or miss the quality entertainment because you’re in bed with a headache!
It’s also important not to drink and drive after the fiesta fun. It’s better to sleep under the stars – or pay for a cheap hotel – than to lose your driving license.
Embrace the noise
Spanish fiestas are loud. There’s no escaping it. There will be fireworks, loud music, shouting, and the cacophony coming from the bars. If you don’t like noise, possibly the village fiestas are not for you!
Whatever you do, remember that simple planning can turn your fiesta from a potentially overwhelming experience into a roaring success. Disfrutes!