San Juan

Tomorrow is the feast day of San Juan so today many of the little villages we went through on our tour of the island were preparing to party tonight.  There will be bonfires and all manner of partying going on apparently.  This little town was festooned with paper flowers and other decorations which were being made by some of the locals in the main square.  Our guide was a little concerned about the prospect of bonfires as there is a very warm wind blowing from the Sahara at the moment which brings dust and heat with it.

An interesting day learning about the whistling communication, Silbo, which is now taught in schools so that it doesn't die out (See the statue commemorating its recognition as part of the world's culture).  We had that demonstrated most effectively at the restaurant by the waiters.  We also learnt about the volcanic needles (also in extras) which are a result of the Gomeran evolution and its particular type of volcanic eruption (a sort of non-eruption from millions of years ago).

Fascinating stuff!