Last Sunday I was witness to one of the most unusual yet enjoyable St. Patrick's Day celebrations ever!
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To be honest, considering the outcome of last year celebrations and the fact that this year's parade in Puerto del Carmen was to take place only between the Biosfera Shopping Centre and the Harbour I wasn't expecting much. Surely they are making an effort this year, I thought, but the parade will only last 5 minutes!
So as the day was approaching I saw as they started with the preparations by decorating the roundabout near the Shopping Centre with huge green shamrocks. Mmm, I thought with a sort of gloomy feeling. I wasn't really looking forward to it.
I considered even attending the raising of the Irish flag at Plaza Las Naciones in Los Pocillos earlier in the morning but it didn't take much to discourage me to take the trek down to it.
So as I made my way to the starting point of the parade around noon to meet up with my friends, my spirit started to change. Initially a small crowd was already gathering on both sides of the street and loads of them where wearing green outfits, t-shirts, dresses and every other item or Irish paraphernalia imaginable. For some reason that already put a smile in my face.
And every outfit I spotted was funnier, more ingenious than the previous one.
So the parade started, a bit delayed, of course, but despite of being modest, they got the crowd following and they started the celebrations Carnival-like style.
By the time we made it to the harbour the place was heaving. The usual Sunday Market with baked goods, fresh produce and artisan articles had also been extended. Also Oktoberfest-like style, they had benches arranged in the centre of the square where people could sit down and relax while eating and enjoying the music. The performances featured heavily Irish dancing and music, as it was expected. But there was also some traditional Canarian dancing and even if the music was less audible, it gathered a good crowd around them.
Later on in the day, the performances continued at the harbour as well other outdoors and indoor locations in the Old Town.
I continued my celebrations in my two locals which incidentally seem to have started a tradition. Competing against the official parade, this unofficial one is aiming to be the shortest in the world at barely 33 meters. If it makes it into the Guinness Book of Records I can say, with an emotional tear in my eye: "I was there when it first happened!". As they say, it's not about the quantity, but the quality!
Well, this is it for me. Needless to say that the party continued all over Puerto del Carmen after I called it a night.
Many thanks to the Ayuntamiento de Tías and each and everyone of the performers and people involved in making these celebrations the success that they were. Being as eclectic as colourful as they were, I think it was very representative of our island's international mix. Not to mention the glorious weather we were blessed with.
Now, if we only managed to get ourselves a modern-day St. Patrick to get rid of the dreaded cockroaches we'd be onto a winner. Lanzarote could become the next Ireland.
Slán anois and until next year! Me, for one, I'm already looking forward to it.