Diary+Entry+2

Dear Diary Our next destination is Seville. The the receptionist at our resort gave us many brochures on Spain and the place that seemed to interest all of us was La Feria de Sevilla. Which is a festival that is held every Spring and all of us were very excited to see this well-known festival.

The festival began as a cattle trading fair in 1847, and through the years it has evolved into a sexy Spanish round-the-clock spectacle of flamenco, bullfighting and rowdy fun.

Once we got there after catching a bus from our resort, I had never seen so many people in my whole life. It is said that this festival attracts over 1 million people from all over. Everyone was pushing and shoving I was kinder finding it hard to get through to places. The lines to eat were so long that we would have to at least an hour to be served but thank God we prepared sandwiches before we left.

Ground zero for the Feria festivities is the temporary tent city, on the far side of the Rio Guadalquivir, called the Real de la Feria. The tents, called casetas, are made of brightly striped canvas and decorated with thousands of paper lanterns. When I asked a gentleman about the tents he told me that the casetas are temporary dance halls and each evening you'll find flamenco music and dancing from around 9pm to 6 or 7 the following morning. I couldn't believe this.

When we walked into one of the tents their were these women all wearing these spectacularly bright Gypsy inspired flamenco dresses, there were people young and old getting out on the dance floor. One old lady grabbed my hand and got me to join in on the fun I was veryembrassed but everyone was so nice and encouraging me that I couldn't help myself.

After seeing and joining in on the flamenco dancing we wanted to see the the parades of the horses. The carriages were decorated and were paraded through the city and fairground. This brilliant display is accompanied by strolling singers who play traditional Sevillana ballads on their guitars.

In the afternoon, we caught a glimpse at another Spanish staple, the bullfight. La Feria attracts topnotch matadors from all over Spain and the bullfights at La Feria are considered to be the best of the season. The action took place at 5:30pm at the imposing Plaza de Toros de Maestranza. The bullring was absolutely beautiful and large. We had to buy tickets from the bullring to enter and it cost us $68.00($AUS) they were quite expensive but this was a once in a life time chance to go and see the highest expression of this Spanish art form.

People in the ring were so loud, cheering for the bullfighter to kill the bull. One of my friends felt quite upset fro the bull and yelled out to the crowd that this was animal cruelty. A Spanish man told her to shutup and that this was there tradition and if they didn't like it then leave. i was so appalled by his attitude but what could you do were just tourists and this is art to them.

When we were about to leave because it was getting late I bought this beautiful shaw for my Mum it was so detailed with hand stiched embroidery. It cost me $85.00 and yes I know very expensive but this old Spanish lady made it and it was absolutely gorgeous with detail, my Mum would be very thankful for it.

Once we left the gates of the festival the staff were asking us to stay and that the party had just begun they were very kind but we were all very exsorted and it was time to go back to the resort.

Rachael Verdejo