Espana Play Day

On display at the art exhibit at the Civic Center in La Herradura

FIESTA NACIONAL DE ESPANA

October 12th was a national holiday here -  "Fiesta Nacional de Espana."  It is the day that recognizes Christopher Columbus' arrival to the New World on October 12, 1492.  It was first celebrated in Madrid in 1935.  While most of Spain does not "celebrate" per se but rather enjoys a quiet day of not working, there is a military parade in Madrid every year to mark the holiday.  The parade is presided over by the king of Spain and also the prime minister.  Foreign diplomats are invited to attend and the Spanish air force aerobatics team performs for the crowd.

Here in La Herradura the beach was filled with families enjoying LA PLAYA.  I was caught off guard to walk into town and find that all the shops, supermarkets and stores were closed.  I was told that on Sunday everything would return to normal.  Not knowing that normal on Sundays meant that most business are closed as well, I found myself without shampoo for a day.  I don't think anyone noticed.

How nice it was to be 80 degrees and sunny for the Spanish holiday.