Life: Idiotropic

This morning Valencia was awakened by over 3000 people carrying fireworks.  For a split second, I'd contemplated this, but then thought wiser.  It was the despertá, the awakening.  A procession walked through the streets tossing loud firecrackers on the ground.  The bands followed later with the playing the traditional pasadobles and then the mascletá began.  At 8 near the Serranos towers that I've walked by many times, the Fallera Mallor declared the Fallas officially begun and more fireworks ensued.  Of course, I missed it all.  And that's ok.  There will be next year and I did get my dose of culture today a bit more locally.

I drove into Puzol and parked.  Groups of people walked towards the church with strollers, cages and critters on leashes.  People assembled near their homes, fussed over their dogs making sure they looked nice, and tied red bandanas around their necks.  Today in Puzol is the fiesta de Sant Antoni - the saint of the animals, today was the day they would be blessed.

One long block was blocked off in front of the church and dirt was laid on the street right in front of the statue of Sant Antoni.  Onlookers assembled on either side of the street to watch.  Others held their animals on the north end waiting.  The priest in his long white robes got onto the stage with his silver conical cup and a scoop of sorts that he'd use to fling water at all who passed by.   A small group gathered in front of the priest each holding a pigeon with brightly painted feathers.  At the signal, they were released and the procession began.  First one or two approached the boxes in the center where men handed out "goodie bags" or corn and bagels to the animals.  Then larger groups went through until all the "house pets" were done.  Turtles big and small, hamsters and guinea pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds in and out of cages - they all went through.

Then they got out larger treat bags and moved to the side for the horses.  In ones, twos, and twenties, the horses went by.  Some pulled carts.  Some had riders.  Others were led.  They all paused in front of the priest and awaited their bag of treats.  Many performed tricks.  Those pulling carts would do a nice little circle.  Some of the riders would rear up or walk in a special way.  One horse bowed.  The tiny horses were the funniest - so small and funny looking, but packed with attitude.  Some of them pulled tiny carts that looked almost like wheelchairs with old men who probably would use one and they'd speed off like they were in the Kentucky Derby.  The largest horses foamed at the mouth flinging thick white spit at anyone close enough to catch it.  Riders wore blue jeans, riding pants, fine British style attire, and traditional Spanish attire.  It was a bit of everything.  And one boy - probably Tiara's age - came speeding in on two horses - standing - on two horses, one foot on each.  No saddles.  Just a slippered foot on the back of a horse.  He sped in, turned his horses in a circle (while standing), jumped off, then swung himself up on them again while they were still moving and rode off the way he came.  A few minutes later, he returned standing still on the same two horses while holding the reigns of two more in the lead.  Dressed in a long black Moorish style tunic, he looked like someone out of a movie.

I've heard that the bulls usually come at the end.  An old woman told me that there would be a mass for everyone (animals too?) at the end as well.  I didn't stay.  The bakery closes at 2.  At 1:45, it was time for me to go.

Fun though.  May be next year I'll bring Deuce and Logan.  I've heard some years there will be lizards, snakes, and snails as well.  If it's a pet, you can have it blessed!  :)

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