(*L-R: Me, Alvaro and Michaela, also representing BatiFans)
Another great weekend in Alvaro’s hometown of Talavera de la Reina, where even a downpour didn’t dampen an excellent inaugural Summer “Fan’s Club” Fiesta.
Madrid, where me and Michaela flew into on Friday, was baking. Bright sunshine, barely a breeze and full-on heat.
By the time we arrived at Talavera in the early evening, it was a bit more obvious that there might be rain: you could see storms over the mountains to the north and it was really thick and warm in the air.
Still, it was great to be back - Once you’ve been and you’ve experienced the amazing hospitality of the people and the beauty and tranquility of the town, you always love seeing it approaching.
We checked in to the hotel, and headed off to find the new Fanclub bar - the Sixtina, on the Calle de Alvarado, up near Bati’s dad’s shop, Amotos.
Walking there it became immediately apparent that the hotel was just a couple of minutes from the venue for the fiesta; the large, open car park of the Nuevo Centro shopping complex.
We found the Sixtina pretty easily, and can tell you that it’s great. Very impressive - with a large interior with TV screens for communal race-watching and a huuuuuge Alvaro cut-out, plus some of his old leathers and other memorabilia.
The outside is also really well done, and they’ve clearly gone to town on making sure it’s absolutely branded as the Fanclub venue with flags and banners straddling the sides of the building.
We got beers and were soon joined by members of the Fanclub directiva and other friends from previous trips. Sure enough there was rain (“there’s been no rain for eight months...” we were told, “and then you arrive and bring it with you!”) but it wasn’t too bad at all, and we spent most of a nice long evening sat outside with plenty of Mahou and tapas, renewing old friendships and meeting new people.
We took the morning of the Saturday as free-time and wandered around Talavera, checking out the Basilica and hitting a couple of the ceramics shops. Then we headed off to Nuevo Centro for the fiesta itself, which started at one.
A good crowd was already gathered in the heat and the sun, and we got drinks and started mingling, greeting everyone in the Fanclub booth, and checking out the various stalls and attractions; top of which had to be Alvaro’s bike, looking absolutely gorgeous and gleaming.
As well as the ongoing cooked-up tapas at the bar, Michelin had provided an enormous paella, which was every bit as delicious as it looked.
Late in the afternoon, we took a break and went back to the hotel, loaded down with various bits of merchandise, ready to have a quick rest and then come back early evening for the remainder of the party.
When we came back though, it was pelting down - a total downpour with full-on thunder and lightning. Everyone was taking it incredibly philosophically and stoically though, and wouldn’t let it ruin the atmosphere of the fiesta.
Thankfully, it didn’t last and by the time Alvaro arrived, it was pretty pleasant, if a bit cooler, and with everybody milling around across the venue.
As usual, he was mobbed. Thoroughly mobbed. Lots of photos, lots of autographs, lots of chats. And as usual, he made sure he kept everybody happy.
He came over and said Hello, and we had a good talk about how things were with him, and also about how good it was to be back in Talavera - and after a while, he moved on to do more schmoozing and signing.
Following a careful mopping of the stage, there was also a superb performance of traditional flamenco by Miriam Jiminez and her dancers; highly recommended to us the night before by various people. They put on a great show, and it was a real bonus that the wet hadn’t prevented them from performing.
And following speeches and a raffle, and a nice goodbye chat with Alvaro, we made our way back to the hotel - as always, hugely in love with Talavera and its people. It’s rare that you find somewhere that’s not only a beautiful, charming place in itself, but which also seems to be reflected in everyone you meet - but Talavera is just such a place.
The kindness, hospitality and friendship is extraordinary. And you’re not just made to feel welcome; you’re made to feel special.
If you’ve not been... Go... Simple as that.
BatiFans will aim to have a group trip to the Fanclub winter Cena Navidad, currently almost a certainty, and slated for the first weekend in December - confirmation of the event and of the dates will be posted here and on BatiFans. Think about joining us, and visiting Talavera too; hopefully you’ll see exactly what we mean whenever we rave about going back there.
For now though, we again come away with another set of great memories. A really enjoyable fiesta, which even a bit of British-style weather wouldn’t have a chance of spoiling, and another couple of days of renewing old acquaintances and meeting new friends.
Big big thanks to David, Marcos, Cesar and all the members of the Fanclub directiva, and also to all our friends - old and new - for looking after us so well.
Nos vemos en la Cena!
If you’re a member of the BatiFans.com Fan Forum then you can get a look at a bunch of photos here...
If you’re not... Why not? ;-)
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