My love of fireworks is officially over.

After listening to them non stop for weeks, culminated by the official end of Las Fallas in Valencia, it’s time for a change. The last night was pure bedlam with 340 or so ninotes burned around midnight. Crowds formed around all, the fire department was very visible and supportive as they watered down the street signs, lamp posts and anything in the line of fire. No cliché…

They strung up a long fuse of firecrackers and enveloped each statue. First they started with amazing fireworks at EACH one, then hit the detonator. They all exploded, then the fire took over… Whoosh, they all just fireballed, and in a few seconds the heat became oppressive as they watered down the ninotes as they continued to burn. Meanwhile, this same event was taking place throughout all the streets, still devoid of auto traffic. This went on until about 0200. About 340 of these celebrations.

Then, finally, the Sounds of Silence.

Not a good night for anyone with war PTSD since it was all very violent and chaotic. If you could imagine being in a war zone during an airstrike, that’s what it was like. Anyone with fear of crowds or chaos would not do well either. But the next morning, all was back to normal.

Streets we’re back open, vendor booths and tents were gone, and it business as usual.

We already planned a side trip and that’s where we are now. San Sebastian Donastia. Quiet, serene, beautiful beyond belief, which will be shared next.

#valencia, #valenciaspain, #lasfallas, #ninotes, #thefires