"La Tamborrada"

In Donosti (San Sebastian) they hold an annual festival commemorating the humiliating defeat of french occupying forces long ago.  

"At midnight, in the Konstituzioa plaza in the "Alde Zaharra/Parte Vieja" (old city), the mayor raises the flag of San Sebastián. For 24 hours, the entire city is awash with the sound of drums. The adults, dressed as cooks and soldiers, march around the city. They march all night with their cook hats and white aprons with the March of San Sebastián." - taken from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastián

It's 10:27 at night here and we are counting down to midnight in the Griffin home.  At midnight we'll hit the streets (if we can stay awake) with the entire city...  

(5 days later...)

Well it definitely was an experience we'll never forget.  The entire city raced on foot, bike, car or bus to the city square in the old part of town (see picture above) to capture the opening ceremonies.   Megan and I boarded a bus already jam packed with merry Donostiarrians chanting songs at the top of their lungs.  After a 10 minute ride we huffed the rest of the way alongside scores of people banging on plates and drums.  Most were intoxicated, and we passed groups of young people sitting around mixing drinks as they waited for it to begin.  As we got closer the crowds packed tighter as they jammed the streets leading to the square.  By the time we got near the entrance to the square it was nearly impossible to make your way through.  There were only 5 minutes remaining and we found ourselves caught up in a frenzied river of people determined to get to the edge of the square for a glimpse of the Tamborrada glory.  The glow of lights emanating from the square begged to be seen by one standing in the dark corridor like streets.  We ended up being carried by the river of bodies to the edge of the square just when it began.  For a moment we were just taking it in but within 10 seconds more and more people began pushing into the already packed square and compacting those of us already there.  It was a mob scene for sure.  The pressure of bodies soon became so great that women began to cry.  The whole crowd would push one way and then the other.  Everyone knew they were helpless.  Through prayers Megan and I were able to see a place about 10 feet away that wasn't as densely packed and slowly move toward it.  We eventually made it to the side and started to feel like we would be OK.  Then as suddenly as it started, it stopped and the crowd began to flow again... and we decided to flow OUT!!!