In Pursuit Of Ducks

Amongst the many festivals, and believe me Spain probably has more than any other countries. One popular one is called 'Fiesta Mayor' which I don't really know how to translate into English, as there's no equivalent and the literary translation of the word doesn't really make sense. I guess to call it the Main festival is more or less right. Every city, town or village, however small, there would be a few days set out to accommodate this festival, dedicated for the inhabitants to eat, drink, play, and generally enjoy themselves, with entertainment, music, dance, theatre plays, films projected on the beach or any public spot, games anybody can join in, team sports and competitions, etc.

Roses main festival was in August for 5 days. Always on the last day, the beach is more crowded than ever. Amongst the many activities happening at different parts of the beach or streets at the same time, including one with the some amateur masons building mini walls (in the shape of mini house) on the beach with real bricks. They must all start at the sound of a whistle, and whoever finished the required shape with the same number of bricks, and faultless work, is the winner, who will be given a certificate and a prize.

The competition called 'Catch your ducks' is, as every year the most popular. The Town Hall must have bought the live ducks from some duck farms, maybe 20 or so (depending on how rich or generous the Town Hall feels each year). On a certain fixed hour, they will let these ducks free into the water. Well ducks are ducks, they begin flapping their wings and happily swim in all directions. They got a 5 minute start, then anybody at all with the desire and skill to do so, will jump into the water too and try to catch a duck, or ducks, if you are that good at this task. Each person can only go in to have one try. Yet the most I have seen over the years was one man swimming back to the beach with 3 ducks!!! What you can catch is yours and you can take home for your dinner or as a gift if you, like me, wouldn't know what to do with a live duck.

What am I saying? I don't even know how to swim!!

Tags:fiestamayor,ducks

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