A hoguera in Alicante. From Cordoba, we took (another) overnight bus to Alicante. I have discovered I can't sleep on overnight buses, but Alicante is a beach city and I was able to take it easy on the beach (slathered in loads of sunscreen). The city beach in Alicante is much nicer than that in Malaga. There happened to be a big festival while we were in Alicante as well. It was Las Hogueras de San Juan - the bonfires of St. John (St. John's Day being June 24th). There were massive sculptures all across the city, which would be burned in bonfires at the end of the multi-day festival. Unfortunately, we were there at the beginning of the festival, so we didn't get to see the bonfires. However, there was a parade with people representing each neighbourhood, dressed in traditional dress. And after the parade, there was a party all across the city, though focused on the beach, that lasted literally all night long. We tried to go to sleep at a reasonable time (2am), but could hear it from our window until at least 4am when we fell asleep. I'm pretty sure it didn't end until it rained.
From Alicante, we headed back to Barcelona. We decided to spend St. John's eve in Sitges, a small beach town near Barcelona that our mom couldn't stop talking about. It was a very nice beach, although everything was a bit expensive because it's a resort town. St. John's Day is a public holiday in Spain and is a big deal. In Sitges, there were fires lit up all over the beach and people letting off fireworks and firecrackers everywhere. Little boys (around 6 years old) throwing firecrackers on the sidewalk where you are walking is a bit unnerving. Along the beach, there were a number of small restaurants with thatched straw roofs over their terraces, one of which we saw catch fire. We went to the nearest restaurant to let them know. The conversation went something like this:
Us: There's a fire on a roof!
Girl: Yes, fire on beach. (Looking at us like we're crazy tourists.)
Us: No! On the roof! (Pointing up)
Girl: Yes, fireworks.
Us: No, on the roof! (Then we took her outside and pointed, at which point she ran.)
Everything was okay, although there was a hole in the roof. Some people had come off the beach and were pouring water on the fire to put it out. We decided things were a bit crazy and headed off the sleep shortly after this.
From Alicante, we headed back to Barcelona. We decided to spend St. John's eve in Sitges, a small beach town near Barcelona that our mom couldn't stop talking about. It was a very nice beach, although everything was a bit expensive because it's a resort town. St. John's Day is a public holiday in Spain and is a big deal. In Sitges, there were fires lit up all over the beach and people letting off fireworks and firecrackers everywhere. Little boys (around 6 years old) throwing firecrackers on the sidewalk where you are walking is a bit unnerving. Along the beach, there were a number of small restaurants with thatched straw roofs over their terraces, one of which we saw catch fire. We went to the nearest restaurant to let them know. The conversation went something like this:
Us: There's a fire on a roof!
Girl: Yes, fire on beach. (Looking at us like we're crazy tourists.)
Us: No! On the roof! (Pointing up)
Girl: Yes, fireworks.
Us: No, on the roof! (Then we took her outside and pointed, at which point she ran.)
Everything was okay, although there was a hole in the roof. Some people had come off the beach and were pouring water on the fire to put it out. We decided things were a bit crazy and headed off the sleep shortly after this.
Despite the people, the beach was so clean and relaxing!
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