Summer in Spain - Day 2

Stop 2 - Plaza Nueva Flea Market: The next morning we got up and drove over to the flea market in central Bilbao. The flea market was tiny and mostly consisted of coins and books but was in a beautiful plaza in the midst of alleys of shops. On the way to the market, we walked past a street performer who had a blanket over his body and a small wooden dog head popping out the top. The dogs mouth snapped open and closed creating a clapping sound that you could hear as you walked up. The kids thought the dog was funny and Maeli kept talking about it hours after we left. Needless to say, as weird as the performer was, he got our money.

Stop 3 - San Fermin Festival: After visiting the market, we drove to Pamplona for the kick-off of the San Fermin Festival. From the moment we got into the city, you could feel the awesome energy of the event. The streets were crowded with people wearing white and red and they had vendors lining the streets selling San Fermin gear. We stopped and ate lunch and Ryan got to try paella for the first time. 

After eating, we roamed the streets for a while, enjoying some good "people-watching" and then headed over to the "Giant and Big Heads" parade. The parade was exactly what it sounds like - people dressed in oversize costumes with giant heads on top. We had heard the parade was geared for kids but really had no idea what to expect. Once the big heads all came out, all of the spectators walked into the streets with the heads and danced down the street with them. It was truly unlike any other parade we've ever been to - the kids spent most of the time just trying to figure out what was going on.

Following the parade, we went over to Plaza Conde de Rodezno for what they call the "Menudas Fiestas." it was essentially an entire square dedicated to activities for kids. The activities ranged from bounce houses, to trains, to carnival games. The lines were a bit crazy but it was the perfect way to end the day with the kids.