The reason for this is that the start of the fiesta marked by rockets going off at midday, and while Bob is now happily immune to this, the others are upset by varying degrees. I’m not convinced that subjecting them to loud music while shut in Ian’s office is that much more relaxing for them, however it does at least seem to stop them getting jumpy.
I don’t know the history behind these rockets, I can only imagine that in years gone by it would have been to let people know that the fiesta is starting in – 12 hours. As the fiesta doesn’t really start until well past midnight. Could it really have taken people more than 12 hours to put on their dancing shoes?
One of my favorite parts of the fiesta remains Sunday morning. The September fiesta is the fiesta of the village saint and as so there is a coilition-style marriage between the council (village) and the church (church). The council arranges the ‘official’ party side of the fiesta, which is from 12 midnight until 7 in the morning. And at 9 in the morning, the church arranges a parade by a band of drummers and pipers, which leisurely parades even the smallest lanes of the village. In case the fiesta goers aren’t awake enough, the band stands on the corners and plays for several minutes to allow the slumberers to enjoy the vibrations of the drumming and piping music. I can’t help feeling that the priest has a little chuckle at this.