Party time on the beach!
If you want to fully immerse yourself in Spanish tradition then you couldn´t be in a better place, as next Monday, 23rd June is the eve of San Juan - and when the biggest annual beach parties take place on beaches across the region. The 23rd is the Eve of San Juan - and for the boys the day that Spain play Australia in the World Cup - the last of their group B matches! During the last World Cup Albir council put up a giant screen on the beach - hopefully they will do the same again this year. If not then the many bars lining the beach promenade will all have television screens showing the match.
There are many rituals and local traditions associated with San Juan, but it is a night to ward off evil spirits - with water and fire the main theme of the celebrations. People start descending throughout the afternoon and early evening - two of the beast beaches to head for are La Cala Finestrat or Albir. Most come laden with tables, chairs and the obligatory cool boxes - full of food and drink ready to celebrate.
Extra police on patrol
If you plan on going get there early as it will be totally mobbed - and especially so if you are driving. Many of the roads in the immediate area to the beaches will be closed off. Benidorm Town Hall has announced that they have an extra 26 staff assigned to monitor and patrol the beaches on the night, with 6 lifeguards, a boat and 2 ambulances on standby - you can see that it´s going to be a wild night! Beach restrictions are being lifted for the night and people will be allowed to stay on until 3am, after which the cleaners will arrive to clean them ready for the morning visitors.
Midnight dip
Although normally bonfires are forbidden on beaches, over the last few years Albir has allowed an "official" one to be built near to the anchor - which is at the beginning of the beach near to the post office. As midnight approaches everyone heads to the shoreline, some carrying a coin or white flower, and at the stroke of midnight will dive into the sea, throwing the items in first, which if superstition is to be believed, will bring them luck ..... other more sensible ones like me just splash and paddle.
It is certainly an astonishing site and what is so great about Spain - the madness of it all and insistance to continue such traditions and customs. Can you imagine that happening in the UK - Health & Safety would have a field day... swimming in the sea in the pitch dark and lighting fires! But the police on duty are very good humoured and will join in the partying - obviously not taking part in the drinking or jumping into the sea though. There is a ban on taking glass onto the beach as it can be a hazard, especially if it breaks, so be careful.
Jumping over the fire
Midnight is also when the "hoguera" - bonfire, is lit. In some places it is traditional to write down all the bad things in your life that you want to get rid of and throw it in whilst others say you need to jump over the bonfire 3 times - really! This is one that actually takes place in Albir... once the flames have died down the firemen stand by with hoses in hand and allow people to jump over - dousing the flames every so often if they fan up. It really is total madness to watch... From experience it is a fantastic magical night and I will be heading to Albir for the night - I will have a paddle but draw the line at anything else!
