In the last week of March I traveled to Valencia, Spain for Las Fallas. It is a spring celebration in the beautiful sea side city. Sculptures (often satirical) are constructed from wood and paper mache throughout the year. They’re then erected on street intersections and plazas all throughout the city. The week long festival is a party for all ages full of music, dancing, buñuelos (fried dough sprinkled with sugar), and fireworks!

On the last day everyone watches as the sculptures are burned to the ground. They start around midnight and last until the early hours of the morning. I was able to attend the event with three very dear friends. Two of them came all the way from the States. Standing close to the sculpture watching it burn, feeling the heat of the flames on my skin, and watching their faces illuminate, was a magical and surreal experience that will stay with me for much time to come. This is a tradition different to anything I’ve experienced in the United States. If you’re ever in Spain during this time of year I recommend taking the trip to Valencia for Las Fallas. It’s a fairly easy train ride from Madrid.