The Fallas Festival of Valencia
The noisy, crazy, colourful, fabulous flaming fiestas of the Fallas of Valencia.
My first introduction to Spain in the late 90s was getting off the train at Barcelona and immediately having my wallet lifted from my coat pocket. The city was dusty and the hostel where I was staying, dirty and shady. Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed and my sour mood reflected badly on the city. I decided to move on.
My second impression of Spain was Valencia in the throes of its Fallas Festival. And wow, it was just what I needed! The whole town seemed to be throwing one long crazy party. There was noise, smoke, giant weird-looking caricatured sculptures, and lots of street food. This was ‘Spanish fiesta’ at its most superlative and I was totally blown away.