Helmets and hosepipes time again … the Virgen del Carmen cometh

[aspasia]

It's that time again, when throughout Tenerife there will be a series of fiestas for the Virgen del Carmen. We've just had the village committee around with car horn blaring and fireworks being rocketed from a hand-held launcher: they're collecting for the fireworks. Our village's fiesta lasts a week, coming to a head between 6 and 8 July this year, so there'll be some sleepless nights!

The main event is a religious service with the statue of the Virgen paraded around the village square and then brought to the bottom of the top hill to watch the fireworks, which are let off in the field across the lane from the cottage. Directly across, hence our own private fire engine up the lane ...

We stand and watch them, motorbike helmets on and visors down to protect ears and eyes, with garden tap on and hosepipe in hand in case something catches fire ... and we contribute for this!!! We stand in the garden under a rain of fireworks casings, imagining that we're in the Somme amidst smoke and explosions that feel like the end of the world. The fireworks people never refuse a beer, but look at us as though we're insane ...

The Virgen del Carmen is worshipped throughout Tenerife though, and her fiestas are going to be taking place in most mountain and coastal villages over the next few summer months. She's the patron saint of fishermen, so her statue is often taken to a harbour and loaded onto a little boat and sailed around the coastline, with musical bands accompanying and parades of locals often in traditional dress.

The biggest fiesta is in Puerto de la Cruz, and this year's is on 10 July. But there'll be plenty of occasions over the next few weeks to find a Virgen del Carmen fiesta somewhere! Los Cristianos' fiesta will be the first Sunday in September. JA

[Nova]

Oh god, fun and games    I think my nightmare will come the following week - four or five days of my apartment rattling with the noise from the stage and amplifiers right below my balcony until 4 o'clock in the morning, then up for work at 6.30.  Oh joy 

[Nova]

What time will it kick off tonight?  Have you located the helmets and tested the hosepipe?

[Janet]

  I've just posted in the evening thread at the same time! I reckon around 10 or so. Jeremy will have to be out there with the hosepipe while I comfort Rosie. We've already had a handful let off entirely at random throughout the day and she's been very trembly. Poor little thing. And a couple right now. FFS.

[Nova]

They're so firework-happy round here it's a miracle they don't have more accidents with them 

[Perikles]

Yep - I'm ready. Motorcycle helmet, boots and hosepipe. That's it.

[Nova]

Yep - I'm ready. Motorcycle helmet, boots and hosepipe. That's it.

Whatever turns you on - just make sure no children see you 

[Janet]

Well, no damage, apart from a terrified puppy who was intelligent enough to go and hide behind the sofa!

[Nova]

Oh clever little lady! 

[Nova]

Yes the Virgen del Carmen has cometh to Las Galletas now - and don't I know it!  What a racket last night, the music was so loud my apartment was rattling until the early hours of the morning!  And more tonight....