"Notes from a little village"

Bill Bryson has marked me with his way of writting. So, I've decided to write about my village (I mean, my grandmother's village, but where I have lived for several years).

My village is named "Banyeres de Mariola" (is the one which appears in the photo). It's a mountain village in the interior of Alicante. It's beautiful because all around it it's nature. There are a lot of precious virgin places.
From the one hand, there is the "Toll Blau", one part of the river "El Vinalopó" which cross the mountain "Sierra de Mariola" (If you have noticed, the village has the name of the closer mountain). The next village to Banyeres is Bocairente. Since losng time ago, Bocairente and Banyeres don't get along very well. So, the two villages are always competing for many places. The "Toll Blau" is one of them, amongst many others. (Of course, I will not mention that those places are really from Banyeres)
The "Toll Blau" is a wonderful place which has a lot of vegetation and a little lakes along the river with a lot of big rocks where you can lie down with the toweling in summer. It's the paradise in summer time because the water is extremely cold. So, you can go for a swim there, feel the cold for a while, and quickly go off to turn your face to the sun. I promise you that it is like a complet renewal of your body. In the next photo you can see this place. (The one who appears there like "Gollum" of the "Lord of Rings" is my friend Torres)


From the other hand, there are three mills around the village: "Molí Pont" - in english it sounds like "bridge mill", ""Molí Sol" - "sun mill" and "Molí l'Ombría" - "shade mill". Time ago, they were the most important centre of production of paper. But, in my view, the last mill is the most significant. "Molí l'Ombría" is closer to the village and it hardly has undergone alterations. It's a special place because it's covered with a lot of big trees and plants. From here, you can do trekking through the several paths. There is one named the "Ruta de los Molinos" - "mill rout"- which covers the three mills said previously. The "Moli l'Ombria" it's in a pure atmosphere (obiously, it's in the middle of the nature) and in my view, it becomes even in a magic place because it's very relaxing and paceful.

What's characteristic of my village and what everybody hate are the hills. There are a lot of very steep slopes and it's a nightmare to go walking (better if you have car or motorbike). I always say it, but never do it. One day, I have to throw myself downhill doing the "croquette" (it must be funny).

With regard to the history and culture of my village it's important to enhance the most important annual festival: "Moros i Cristians" - "Moors and Christians". All the village stop its jobs and spend the previous days getting ready for the festival. The festival involves in street bands. There are several groups of bands who represents the different historic characters and they differ from each other thanks to their typical dresses (I must say that these typical dresses are impressive due to their complexity).

As I have said, that's the most important festival however, my village seems like are always having a party. There are several holidays during the year.
Banyeres de Mariola -and its surroundings- has a typical and special drinking called "Herbero". It is made with natural plants of the "Sierra de Mariola" and a kind of liquor that I can't say because I don't know it. The only thing I can assure you is that the "Herbero" is a strong drinking capable of making your temperature increase and making you laugh and relax.

Banyeres' people are people with their small town ways deeply-rooted. That's not bad. I mean, they are very talkactive (maybe the correct word is gossip), pretty coarse, generous, and they know all about the village and its people (maybe with "gossip people" I can say it all)

What more can I say? I can't say it all from Banyeres because I don't find the appropriate words to describe it.
To know about Banyeres de Mariola, you only have to go there and watch it by yourself because, no matter how I could say, it's indescribable.