How they celebrate

Many would argue that one's ability to adapt is most important for traveling. Growing American brands look for the same quality of adaptation in their leaders. Emotionally intelligent leaders hone their adaption in order to improve themselves and to simply live well.

But beyond adapting to life on the road, on the other side of the pond, or across the street, is the traveler's ability to learn. 

Andy Cartegena at Féria de Pedro Romero, Ronda, September 2017

On a recent trip to Ohio, I asked my best friend’s husband what would be appropriate attire for church on Sunday. I then remarked, “Isn’t it interesting how we all want to fit in when we are someone’s guest? Yet when we are in our own homes and towns, we want to stand out.” ​

Fiestas de San Isidro, Las Ventas, Madrid, May 2017

​Rather than look for a handbag in Paris, wool sweaters in Iceland, shoes and fans in Spain, on your next outing, just look. Look at the people and how they behave. Look at how they greet each other, how they dine, how they relax, how they worship, how they celebrate.
 
Souvenir is French for to remember.
 
Remember the people. Bring their spirit home with you. Learn. Then live your lessons.

Ronda, September 2017

​Festivals in Spain are rooted in family and tradition. They may all look different – from white tshirts stained pink from throwing tomatoes in Valencia to white and red dressed brave souls racing bulls down Calle Estafeta in Pamplona to watching bulls run wild in the countryside of Guadalajara to dressing in flamenco attire for the Féria de Seville or Goyesca attire, in Ronda, for the Féria de Pedro Romero to wearing screen printed tshirts from your peña in your hometown which you call “the village” or “el pueblo” while following a marching band around the streets like a high school pep rally while the church bells chimes 2200.
 
Festivals in Spain are about slowing down and holding hands across generations. They are a celebration of faith and of life and of the relationships in-between. 

San Fermin, Pamplona, July 2016

Semana Santa, Marbella, April 2017

Semana Santa, Marbella, April 2017

My souvenir from last year's festival in Yebra, our village: "​It was not until the next afternoon that I noticed the hands on the church's clock had stopped, as had the clock in the bar. In both the place we go to remember and the place we go to forget, time had no place. Because we only have right now? Because we can only believe in infinity? May you find a sparkle in the moment. May you shine." 

Yebra, September 2016

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