HAVIN FUN IN SPAIN..!

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If there is something that Spanish people love having - besides good food and wine - is fun; some times in the most unorthodox ways. Most everybody has heard of the "San Fermin" week long party in Pamplona, where nobody gets much sleep, hundreds if not thousands of gallons of wine are consumed, and lots of folks from around the world congregate once a year for the Running with the Bulls, or "Encierro," - first made internationally famous by Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises - a practice that some times causes injuries and even death to the participants.
Even though is not yet in the same fame category, Valencia's "La Tomatina" or Battle of the Tomatoes has been drawing huge crowds, its fame growing around the world and specially in Europe. Started back in 1945 in Buñol, a town located a short distance from the city of Valencia, when some young fellows tried to join friends at the head of a parade, and in their haste, someone fell. Scuffles followed, finally turning into an enourmous brawl; and an open crate of tomatoes that just "happened" to be there proved too tempting - The rest is history.
The young people of Buñol repeated the "battle of the tomatoes" the following year, and although the authorities tried to stop it they had no choice but to give in.
The event ignited so much passion from the surrounding areas that everybody came in to join in the fun.
The town of Buñol is now well and truly on the map.
People flock from all over the world to enjoy the annual festival of slush and fun which really is a child's (and many adults) dream come true.
The events begin with a whole ham being tied to a greased pole, and yes, someone has to retrieve the ham before the festival begins.-
This is followed by absolute mayhem when thousands of tons of tomatoes are released from the back of trucks, creating an absolute orgy of tomatoes, water and shirt fights - all in good fun.
There are a few safe-guards such as a set of rules which all participants must respect and abide by. For example, "tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown, so they can't hurt anybody."
After "La Tomatina", you'll never regret visiting one of the biggest and liveliest cities in Spain: Valencia.
It is located on the Mediterranean sea coast, with beaches right in the very heart of it. If hungry, you'll have the chance to try Spain's most famous dish, right where it was born: the "Paella Valenciana."
By the way, a really good Paella cannot be made on an electric range, but on charcoal fire in a flat pan of impressive diameter. After all the ingredients have been added, you can not stir it around anymore. A well made Paella can be pleasantly overwhelming.
If ever n Spain, visit Valencia and Buñol. You will always fondly remember your visit.