Following the previous post, we lunched on our local produce back in the van. Sadly the skies darkened and the looming weather from the west came in and so it started raining. Undeterred though, we umbrella'd up and marched back up the granite causeway back into the village centre. The town was full of people now, all around the edge of the town square. We found a quiet kerb, perched and waited dutifully under the brolly. The rain fell, but people persisted in their waiting. After a suitably long delay, similar to the wait to announce the winner of the 'X factor' or alike, up the cobbled road came the marching band of the area. They were brilliant! A real rabble of a band.
Their uniform was sort of uniform, although hat styles and the way the hats were worn, hairstyles etc were all a variety. They stood where they wanted on the stage, chatted on their phones, some wore sunglasses, some looked like they had just woken up, some really didn't look bothered and the conductor stood at the side with his arms folded through their performance. They were however, brilliant fun, and they got the party started. They were however greeted with a rather subdued round of applause, as people had really come for the folk stuff. The different folk groups representing the different local villages processed into the town square accompanied by their own folk band of various instruments. All looked sour faced, solemn with a slow gait over the granite. Their costumes however were a real variety and delight. Again, hard to describe, but headdresses, hats, piles of straw on heads, baskets on heads, wraps on heads, blankets of all colours, black waistcoats with tartan backs, shirts, tan coloured felt trousers, short brimmed hats, wide brimmed hats, shoes, no shoes, slippers, clogs, no brimmed hats, beards, no beards, cloaks, sticks, poles, tools, instruments of all sizes and shapes, accordions, young, old, knitwear, skirts, dresses, black, lots of black, straw outfits, yes, straw outfits,
RED SPOTTY HANKIES (Hooray!), and the list goes on!
All in all, quite a feast for the eyes, so much so, as we now digest the photos, we can't believe that we were privileged to have seen it all today. Quite something!
However, as the whole thing unfolded into its festival atmosphere, a brown caped Zorro figure started introducing the event over the PA. We hadn't a clue what he was talking about, nor really what all the costumes meant, but it was good, and we all clapped at the marvellous things he said. It got better though; each group of musicians and dancers had to perform on the stage. So much made us smile, from the dour faced bands playing uplifting and joyful music, to the dancers who performed with verve and a real passion for what they were doing. 
It seemed as though the dances were telling stories, perhaps about the harvest, or giving thanks for the seasons produce. We have film footage to share with those of you who are interested at some point, but I guess you had to be there really!
Anyway, after the first round of musicians and dancers, they marched off the stage to their own music to make way for the next one. So we watched and waited for the next round of fantastic costumes and intriguing music and singing. As we waited, one of the previous guitarists came wandering past us. I caught his eye, and in an odd moment, I recognised him, and he recognised me. To our surprise, it was Marcus (see previous post about Portuguese man who worked in a London based Italian restaurant) who once again greeted us with a vitality of life. He placed his hat on Jasper, and let both he and Maya hold his guitar whilst they posed for photos. A lovely man. 
The conclusion then. We were a slightly confused family of British people who just enjoyed the event for what it meant to us. A lot of fun, slightly crackers, but a confirmation once again that Portugal is a special place. Happy days.
As a point of note, it is now 53 days since we left home. Not quite Phileas Fogg yet!
Ed
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