Mrs Z, she of delicate language and sensibilities: "Hurry up and take the fucking foto!"
Mrs Z, she of delicate language and sensibilities: "Hurry up and take the fucking foto!"
0 2025/01/30 16:02:58
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
0 2025/01/30 16:00:16
Timeless icon of Iberia.
Timeless icon of Iberia.
0 2025/01/30 15:59:44
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
0 2025/01/30 15:58:09
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
0 2025/01/30 15:57:12
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
0 2025/01/30 15:55:22
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
We used our newly-purchased Barcelona glasses in our historic Usana rental 'Casa Blas.'
0 2025/01/30 15:54:06
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
0 2024/12/17 11:26:39
0 2024/12/17 11:25:29
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
0 2024/12/17 11:25:11
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
0 2024/12/15 17:53:13
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:52
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:41
Were these two brother and sister?
Were these two brother and sister?
0 2024/12/15 17:52:27
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:12
Note the child climbing on the lower left. Crowd update: at this point, if you had a full bladder, then you were out-of-luck. Ditto if it'd been a sunny day and you'd not brought a hat. An uneasy feeling was taking over those of us who were being crushed into the fence by the ever-thickening throng. I've attended concerts by Led Zeppelin and also Pink Floyd where attendance exceeded over 80,000. But in placa Jaume (JOW-may) on this day, there was no escape.
Note the child climbing on the lower left. Crowd update: at this point, if you had a full bladder, then you were out-of-luck. Ditto if it'd been a sunny day and you'd not brought a hat. An uneasy feeling was taking over those of us who were being crushed into the fence by the ever-thickening throng. I've attended concerts by Led Zeppelin and also Pink Floyd where attendance exceeded over 80,000. But in placa Jaume (JOW-may) on this day, there was no escape.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:02
The middle lifters are known as 'manilles'. Spotters also took their places to watch for signs of falls and collapse. It happens.
The middle lifters are known as 'manilles'. Spotters also took their places to watch for signs of falls and collapse. It happens.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:33
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:17
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:02
Even the musicians
Even the musicians
0 2024/12/15 17:50:49
Moments before the event. Lourdes became so pissed off at folks who kept insisting on invading our 10 inches of space, that she yelled at them. Idiot tourists dragging suitcases through the impenetrable mass. Foolish local parents who brought young kids in strollers. Misguided locals who'd brought their elderly parents only to be crushed, like the octogenarian on my other side. Above: young casteler members blocked by insensitive onlookers from reaching their crew. It was uncomfortable.
Moments before the event. Lourdes became so pissed off at folks who kept insisting on invading our 10 inches of space, that she yelled at them. Idiot tourists dragging suitcases through the impenetrable mass. Foolish local parents who brought young kids in strollers. Misguided locals who'd brought their elderly parents only to be crushed, like the octogenarian on my other side. Above: young casteler members blocked by insensitive onlookers from reaching their crew. It was uncomfortable.
0 2024/12/15 17:50:19
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:30
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:17
Catalunya sends many of its towns' Casteler teams to Barcelona. These traditional social group associations each compete on the clock to construct, then deconstruct, a human tower.
Catalunya sends many of its towns' Casteler teams to Barcelona. These traditional social group associations each compete on the clock to construct, then deconstruct, a human tower.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:00
0 2024/12/15 17:47:33
0 2024/12/15 17:47:23
0 2024/12/15 17:46:36
0 2024/12/15 17:46:20
0 2024/12/15 17:46:08
0 2024/12/15 17:45:50
0 2024/12/15 17:45:40
0 2024/12/15 17:45:10
Live musicians abounded. Next: the other half of this day - the famed Casteler human towerss.
Live musicians abounded. Next: the other half of this day - the famed Casteler human towerss.
0 2024/12/15 14:14:23
The crowd grew with each passing minute. It began to rain off and on. I'd arrived 2 hours early to stake my place right by the City Hall wall, advice given to attendees: more shade and less crowd crush. Uh-huh...
The crowd grew with each passing minute. It began to rain off and on. I'd arrived 2 hours early to stake my place right by the City Hall wall, advice given to attendees: more shade and less crowd crush. Uh-huh...
0 2024/12/15 14:14:10
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
0 2024/12/15 14:09:45
followed by his 15' wife.
followed by his 15' wife.
0 2024/12/15 14:08:23
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
0 2024/12/15 14:08:13
I rest my case.
I rest my case.
0 2024/12/15 14:07:35
Some gegants were more comical.
Some gegants were more comical.
0 2024/12/15 14:07:03
The King and Queen? Am I right, Enric? Maribel?
The King and Queen? Am I right, Enric? Maribel?
0 2024/12/15 14:06:09
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