A Spanish Experience

by Regin Reyno

Spain, the country who colonized us for 333 years and greatly influenced our culture, was one of my dream destinations in Europe. I really wanted to go there and experience their culture, hear the locals speak their beautiful language, the food, and see with my own eyes the very country and people who greatly influenced my country-both good and bad. 

a pose in the city 

It has always been talked about since elementary years in Social Studies subject and in my high school years in Filipino subject. Our national hero José Rizal always mentions it in his book Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. So I’m really curious about that country.

So when I heard the news that one of our destinations for our European tour was Spain, I was so excited. We are going to participate in 3 international choral festivals in the provinces of Alava and Burgos, Spain, and we will stay there for 3 weeks.

So in 2006, my choir, the Philippine San Beda Male Singers led by Robert Delgado embarked on its 5^th European tour-and our last leg is the Kingdom of Espana!

From Germany, we departed Frankfurt Am Main airport in going to Spain. We boarded the budget airline Ryan Air. Unlike our 2005 European tour which mostly composed of road trips and rail travels, this tour was mostly flying. Thanks to budget airlines in Europe such as Ryan Air. So because of that, I got used to always traveling by air. So every time I travel since then, I just sleep instead of reading the in-flight mag or watching the view.  Maybe because of tiredness of the tour and I’m not so excited about the views anymore. So I just slept the whole trip. And after a few hours I can now hear the captain announcing our arrival. Whew! Welcome to Spain! We landed on Santander International Airport.

with Voltaire and Bhim, before our first concert in Spain

Santander Airport is a little less organize and clean compared to German airports. As we left and went outside the airport, I immediately felt the difference in temperature. It is definitely warmer in Spain, albeit dry. We arrived there during summer, September to be exact.  We were met by the organizers of the festival. They provided a bus for us in going to Alava-particularly the place where they are going to house us.

enjoying sunny Spain

As we were riding the bus, I really didn’t sleep. But instead opened my eyes and witnessed and absorbed all the views that I can. This is now Spain-the country that colonized us. I witnesses vast plantations of sunflower, wonderful superhighways, sunny environment, and grape plantations. There was a vast view of lands that were no people-typical in Europe. I also witnessed their beaches; in which many Europeans flock to during winter time. The mountains, limestone karsts all contributed to the beautiful scenery of sunny Spain.

The German choir, one of the participants of the festival

We were housed in a school together with different other nationalities who participated in the festival. We have befriended choirs from Cuba, Mexico, Germany, Russia, Poland, Slovakia, and the Ateneo College Glee Club from the Philippines. That was a very wonderful experience-to be able to meet choirs from other countries.

with the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club 

When we were in Spain, I’ve learned many things. I’ve learned that they really have a siesta hour. That is basically the reason why we have siesta, too. But there, their siesta is more serious. During siesta hours, all shops are closed and they take a nap. Unlike in the Philippines were we just take a nap. They really take their siesta time seriously.

I also learned that their churches really look like the churches in the Philippines. Sometimes by looking at their churches, I feel like I am just in the Philippines.

We enjoyed our stay in Spain. We also had the opportunity to practice some Spanish. We enjoyed the place, the view, the vast land and the beautiful infrastructures.

But behind all those beautiful experiences, we also had our struggle. But this struggle is a great experience too. Unlike in other European countries that we went to,-where we were mostly hosted by Filipino families-this time, it was a choral festival and our host were Spaniards. Which means, our food, also consisted of Spanish food. Don’t get we wrong, Spanish food is delicious and is a great culinary experience. But the things is, we Filipinos can’t survive without rice. There did I fully realize that rice is not eaten regularly in other countries.

dinner after one of our performances

During our first meal there, which happened after our long trip from Germany (and we were so hungry), we were served with boiled red beans in sauce and a piece of baguette. That’s it. We were like, huh? We were so hungry and we were expecting to have rice and everything. So anyways, we just contented ourselves with that hard bread. (We Filipinos are not used to eating just bread for a meal).

Man shall not live by bread alone.

We were thinking then that, o maybe since this is just the first day, maybe tomorrow or the following days, they will serve rice, too. But lo and behold, for the next three weeks, we saw that baguette on our plate every meal instead of rice.

Spanish salad

It was a struggle for all of us, as we have full concerts everyday. That's where I realized how we Filipinos can't really live without rice. 

Most of our concerts were in the evening, and after each concert, we were served with the best, authentic Spanish foods. We dined with high officials, and ate in the best restaurants in Spain, all borne by the festival committee. 

In Spain, they serve each entree one at a time and they spend a lot of time during dinner. Their dinners are considered time to socialize. So while eating, you must talk, and talk and talk.  We enjoyed talking to the locals using our very little Spanish. 

This is what happens to Filipinos who haven't eaten rice for 2 weeks  (Low batt)

We also have an official bus that took us to our concerts and back to our dormitory. And since we are an all-male choir, it felt like we are a sports team. Later did we learn, that our official driver is the mayor of that town. We were shocked as in the Philippines, mayors wouldn't do that. Mayors in the Philippines even have their own drivers and bodyguards, but here, the mayor is the one driving us around. And I asked him with the help of a translator why is he doing it, and the mayor told me that the reason why they are in that position is to serve the people. Wow, I wished all mayors in the Philippines will have that kind of spirit. And, I also learned that mayors in that place don't have salary. His main source of income is through farming.  

with our driver, the mayor of the town 

The last day of the festival in Alava ended with a concert together with all the choirs-each choir will perform 4 songs at least. It was a great experience to be able to perform alongside world class choirs from all over the world.

I also learned that, since we are in the Catalan side of the country, we weren't allowed to sing Spain's national anthem because of their dispute. Traveling is really learning. 

 Our final concert for the festival together with world-class choirs from all over the world

After a week in the province of Alava, where we had a full concert everyday and was concluded by a performance by all choirs in a very prestigious concert hall-we moved to the province of Burgos for another festival. This time we were housed in one of the school's dormitories-two persons in each room. The dormitory was like a 3 star hotel.

after one of our performances

The concert every night concerts continued in that province. And during the day, which is our free-time, we contented ourselves by exploring the place on foot, witnessing first hand what's happening in that town. We went to internet cafes, shops, parks, football fields, and experienced the place.

After approximately 3 weeks in Spain, after lots of concerts and festival performances, it is now time to go home. Since this was our last leg of the tour, our next destination is home. 

at Santander International Airport

Spain is a beautiful country. Sunny, vast lands, beautiful people, good food, wonderful scenery, and beautiful churches. And after 6 months of being on tour, we missed home and longed to be home. But we're glad that before coming home, we had an experience of  Spain, a country that greatly influenced us. 










This is my entry for Carnival of Europe hosted by DJ Yabis at Dream Euro Trip