Tuesday, October 13, 2026

7 October 2026 Fuengirola: More of the Festival

 


We headed back to the apartment for lunch and watched group after group of folks in traditional garb walk by towards the fairground.  After lunch we headed over there too.  It was set up like a carnival with rides, games of skill and finally bars and restaurants.  It took us 15 minutes to walk over and the sun was toasty so we sought out shade where possible.  The walk was shared with a crowd of people all headed to the fair.  It was much bigger than we expected and we got a bit overwhelmed!


We cooked up a slab of ribs for lunch


Made some preserved lemons


It takes lots of work


The parade of fair goers stroll on by our place


Horses and buggies


Ruffles everywhere


Teh add on flower is a bit part of the outfit


We were not the only ones to come by the fair!


Folks climb in a cage and get tossed about


Ruffles and all


We will conquer this beast at some time


Stand back from the hurl zone


Hey Mr. DJ


A chair to orient yourself


What prize to win?


Strapped in 


Bugging!


It is a big wheel


This reminded me of Up


These lights head out for blocks and blocks


The Viking ship also has cages to climb into


Perhaps the most brutal ride of them all


And a roller coaster at the end of the fair


The light is fading


The crowd is getting larger


So it is time to head back


Statues 


Side saddle rider


Bring on the dancing horses!




     It has been 4 years and 115 days since we began our Migration

Saturday, October 10, 2026

7 September 2026 Fuengirola: The Lady of Rosario Festival Parade

 


The day for the big festival has arrived!  We saw fancy dressed women passing by in ones and twos as soon as we were awake.  Soon the parade of traditional dresses picked up and groups of 8 and 10 started passing by.  We made it over to the church where the parade started and were blown away!  This is a town that gets behind their local festival.  Women of all ages were dressed to the "t' and a smattering of men and boys joined in too.  We watched some dancing first then headed into the old town to catch the parade and the carrying of the shrine.  In the parade there were two bands, a multitude of local families, local politicians, military types, the clergy and of course the shrine.  It took 50 to 75 men, working together, to carry the huge wooden structure.  They were working hard and moving slow.  Along with the shrine they had ample incense, it was thick and pungent.  


Our first sighting


An activity for the entire family


All generations


Each dress a work of art


Some more elaborate than others


A picture of the Lady Rosario on a building in the church square


The uniform was dress, shawl, dangly earrings, a flower in the hair that it either dine up or in a braid and some big cloncky sandles


Dancing!


Dancing like no one is watching


Heading down to the parade


The phones take a bit off of the look


We found our parade watching spot


Lots of folks are walking our way


Bring on the parade!


All decked out


A great hat


Here comes the parade!


Important families carry banners


Not sure of the historical significiance


They may be panels describing the life of the Lady Rosario


There is no shortage of important families


Now we have the staffs


Would this be a pennant?


This one is most elaborate


The hat is back


Military folks too


Two staffs for this guy


Kids were handing out trading cards 


A smaller pennant


A family bible perhaps


A pause in the parade


Contrasts


Leslie has her shawl


Perhaps not as fancy as the others


The conclave is convened 


Strike up the band!


She is sighted


The incense has been fired up


She had made the turn 


She is coming our way


Very fancy Rosario


Down the street she sashays 


Back at the church


Lots of people everywhere


Horse folk


Festival!


A blast of yellow in the background


Miss Polly


The local beer crew


No one riding the big wheel


She just hopped off of her motorcycle


Don Juan!


A gum tree


Even with her dress she was keeping a faster pace than we were




     It has been 4 years and 115 days since we began our Migration