Closing out Spain Chapter One.....

June 8, 2009 Monday
This will be our last posting from Rota this spring. We are in the process of packing our things and getting ready to leave the boat in the boatyard for the summer.

But some wonderful things have happened recently. Probably you would have to be us to really appreciate it, but we are just marvelling at the kindness and warmth we have received in Spain ever since we got here. Everywhere we go, we are welcomed like family. I almost can't believe it. Sure, we can do a surprising amount of flamenco - essentially a very arcane and private artform. But still, for whatever reason, we are truly grateful. I think they like that we love their culture so much.

One of the high points of my artistic career has been the presentation of a bronze plaque from our peña in appreciation of our contribution to the artistic life there - I played guitar for the saturday sessions and accompanied local and visiting artists during shows. Andrea danced in fiestas and on the stage. We were treated like equals.

Here is the plaque that they gave us.

Here is the president of the peña, Antonio "Bergalo", making a little speech.

From L to R, Miguel, his wife Pilar, us, Bernardo (who put us on local TV), and Juan Rizo, the first aficionado who opened up to us when we arrived.

Then yesterday we went on a Romeria in Chipiona. Romerias have become very big - they are essentially a pilgrimage, but unlike the big one to Rocío, these local ones don't go very far because they are for working folks who can't take a week off work. Like the one in Rota, they leave the downtown church on Saturday morning and go to a small chapel in the pines or on the beach. The devout walk or ride horses or travel in carriages. The trip takes and hour or so, then they arrive and have a little mass in the trees and then it is party time. (This must be a consolation prize for those who don't go on Rocío, which is truly special - we've been 7 times).

Strangely enough, the local virgin (every town should have one) is black, but the baby is white. I have no idea......

Here is the procession of pilgrims coming through the pines.

Then it was partytime. Here are Miguel, his sister, Maria and her husband who is singing a fandango.

Here is Juan "el Moro" from Sanlúcar, singing from his carriage. I get to accompany everyone who wants to sing and never know exactly what they are going to sing, only the basic rhythm.

And here are the two of us....