Feria Week in Ronda Spain

La Bola, the name says it all, this is Ronda's main shopping precinct, and it's filled with people. People shopping, people talking, and people stopping for a coffee.

I often sit and watch the people go by, it whiles away the time, and is a welcome distraction from therapy or work. A "cafe con leche" costs only a few cents, and can be made to last half an hour, perfect for enjoying the moment.

Right now I'm watching a group of kids walking toward me, they're enjoying their last few days of the summer holidays, it'll be back to school after feria in a week.

Shop windows all over Ronda have been redecorated for the feria, held in honour of Pedro Romero, Ronda's greatest bullfighter. At the weekend fans of the Rondeño style of bullfighting will be treated to the Corrida Goyesca, the annual carnival which is the only bullfight staged in Ronda's Plaza de Toros.

The bottom end of La Bola has been decorated, the street itself has an artificial ceiling made of paper balls in red and white, and throughout the central city bar owners are preparing for the outdoor bars that are a hallmark of feria week.

The summer sales will be finishing soon as well, I think the end of this week, so quite a few people are frantically buying up before tne winter season clothes arrive. Tourists are especially keen on getting bargains that cost twice as much back home.

In the week ahead, Rondeños will be treated to a spectacular parade through the city, bandits, goyesca ladies, horses and carriages, fireworks, concerts, the bullfights, and of course the outdoor bars. It should be a great week.