It turns out my host family has an incredible mountain house in a village outside Madrid. I visited today, and I went to the village’s annual celebration. Many cities have a festival like this one, where the whole city comes together. Some wore traditional dress, while others, like me, wore a blue and white plaid bandana.

With my host parents on the porch at their mountain home

Each family or group reserves a space in the park, where they set up tables and chairs. Tradition says every group must create an exhibit, similar to a float in the U.S., but stationary. At the end of the day, a committee votes on the best one.

I enjoyed this opportunity to experience another part of Madrid.