Two days ago started with a spectacular blue skies sunny day. Teresa and I were at home alone. We had a morning and afternoon of talking, sitting in the sun reading, and generally making sure the house was ready for Arturo to come home from the hospital. He came home in time for lunch, then promptly went to bed. Elisa took a quick nap as well. Then Elisa and I went into Teruel to help her family set up.
Set up for what, you ask! Well, this weekend is the Medieval Festival for Teruel. It's a lot like a Renaissance Fair. The main difference is Teruel focuses on their love story. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go read my other posts until you find it! Anyway, the story of Isabel and Diego is crucial for Teruel and for this Festival. Through out the three days they act out the story for large crowds. Which brings us to the wedding this morning. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Part of this festival is that families of Teruel can set up tents in the plazas. There are 180 of these non-commercial tents. But not anyone can do this. You have to request being able to do this by coming up with your family's duty in the town. For example, our tent is the key keepers of the town door. You also have to eventually write up a report on what you know about this job. They take it seriously. Well anyway, ours is in the ultimate location in a main plaza. Elisa's family had set up the tent with tables, full kitchen, tapped kegs full of special beer brewed just for this festival, full roasted pigs, and everything else you could ever need. So yesterday evening Elisa and I helped set that up. We stayed for dinner and some drinks. I did my best to listen to the conversation but got lost fairly fast. Nonetheless, a good evening with new friends who warmly took me in to their group.
This morning, I woke up ready for the day. Elisa had told me to wear leggings for under my costume. Her sister-in-law had found a dress for me. I obviously was super excited about that.
Elisa and I went to her brother's house to get ready. You know that normal chaos and confusion trying to get out of the house for an event with a whole bunch of people? Yeah, now add not knowing a word of what's going on. I ended up putting on my dress and watching the mayhem. Carmen, the niece of Elisa, speaks English fairly well and is always excited to practice with me. So she did my hair and helped translate. Between me knowing some Spanish and her knowing some English, it worked out well. I'll have to get a picture of my full outfit, but I assure you: It's awesome.
We went up to the family tent. There Elisa's mom waited for me. We went to the wedding. It's a reenactment of Isabel's wedding to the other man, Don Pedro. The plaza was packed full of people and the event was televised- as is the whole weekend. Isabel and Don Pedro then mounted horses, rode through town, then went to the balcony of her father's house and were officially presented as husband and wife before the town. It was all very cleverly done and interesting to watch.
After that, we had a big lunch in the tent. There were around 20 people at the table eating potatoes, pork, salad, sausage, bread, and every other amazing food prepared. As I've mentioned before, 2pm-4pm is lunch time. And every tent was full of families enjoying lunch. Some women cooked outside over campfires. Some brought the food from home. Whatever method, it was awesome to see how the families and friends joined together for a common meal. And for Iker, he enjoyed the chocolate most of all.
After lunch, I walked through the town. It was packed full of market stands. You aren't allowed to sell things at this market unless it is hand made and you are from Teruel. Some pretty amazing things, let me tell you. I have a tradition of buying a ring for big moments in life as a reminder. I have been searching for the ring for this trip. Today I found it! The man spoke broken English and combined with my broken Spanish, we had a great conversation. He told me how he made the jewelry, how he grew up in Teruel, and so much more. He recrafted the ring so it would fit perfectly, gave me a discount, and sent me on my merry way. I'm quite happy with it. Just like my trip, it's unique, rough in some places, big, but crafted for me and over all- beautiful.
As I kept wandering through the town, I was so overwhelmed with the costumes and general people watching opportunities. I sat and had a cup of coffee just to see all the amazing things going by me. As I did, a play emerged in the main plaza. I was very happy because another play I had watched earlier I didn't understand at all. But this one I understood enough of the jokes to chuckle along with the crowd. Above all, a very entertaining afternoon.
Finally, my feet were begging for relieve. To small of shoes will do that to you. But you do what you need to do for Medieval Fashion! Anyway, I headed back to the tent. There was a fire started. The smaller kids looked as worn out as I felt. They curled up under their moms' cloaks and happily gazed at the flickering flames. I watched the same scene at all the other tents. Friends shouted hello at neighbors across the plaza. Families went from tent to tent saying hello, giving kisses on the cheek, and catching up. The whole town was full of celebration and joy as families and friends joined together. The warmth of the fires was nothing compared to the connection this town brings. Because in the end, isn't that the reason we celebrate love?
Well I'm off to massage my blistering feet and get some sleep before the next two days of fiesta! As always, thanks for reading (LOVED all the comments on the last post!!) and to be continued...
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