Every year, two weeks after Semana Santa, Sevilla holds its annual fair. Originally organized as a livestock fair in 1847, the Feria de Abril has become a time for Sevillanos to eat, drink, dance and socialize with friends. From Monday night at midnight until the following Sunday the fairgrounds (which are conveniently located right down the street from my house) are awash with color and merriment. Women in flamenco dresses mingle with men in suit jackets, walking from here to there, weaving among the horses and dashing across the street to avoid the oncoming carriages. While some have come just to soak up the atmosphere, most are on their way to one 'caseta' or another. Red or green and white striped, the 'casetas' are owned by groups of friends or companies and are the heart of feria. Inside these tents is where the people dance 'sevillanas' and where they order their pitchers of rebujito -a mix of Manzanilla wine and Sprite. It's also where you must be invited, making it difficult to enjoy every aspect of the fair if you don't have a "caseta' or know someone who does. Luckily through friends of friends I was able to experience all that is feria, including the sugar overload of one too many rebujitos. While I had a good enough time as is, everyone keeps telling me it's better if you dance. Looks like I have some 'sevillana' lessons in my future.
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