Amigos de Sheffield y Melbourne:

The street was closed at 0800 (photo cerrando calles), this was a little less formal than in your countries. Some kids grabbed some rocks and spread them across the road. We didn't need anybody's permission.

The banner at the entrance to the barrio explained the twinning idea (photo manta).

The fun started about an hour later. The gigantona (photo gigantona) started dancing to warm up proceedings. As you see the weather was sunny and warm - for now no problem.

Cerrando calles
Manta	Gigantona

The Mayor is in Holland this week, so the Vice-Mayor, Maria Teresa Illescas, came to open proceedings, following the national anthem (photo vice alcaldesa). You can see that 90% of participants were kids. Peter explained the twinnings and read/translated messages from England and Australia.

Throughout the morning there was a lot of dancing (photo baile), though the live musicians failed to appear, and the first two sound systems were blown because the temporary electricity connection was 220v and the equipment 110v.

Participants were able to see a panel of information on each of the three twinning partners (photos Sheffield and Melbourne).

Vice Alcadesa	Baile
Sheffield	Melbourne

Typical food was available (photo vigoron), which is eaten off banana leaves.

We have several photos of the kids' artwork which was on display, together with the artist, and some information from them, but for now just a first sample (photo dibujo).

One of the residents dressed as a clown (photo payaso) and kept the kids entertained until the obligatory piņata - a clown (photo piņata) was smashed up. The tram sent from Australia was shown but considered too beautiful to break.

Vigoron	Dibujo
Payaso	Piņata

By 1230 it was clear that some good tropical rain was on the way (photo viene lluvia).

Even so it surprised us somehow, and came torrentially, with thunder and lightning at zero distance as well as high winds. One of the three "toldos" (what do you call these temporary roof things in English??) was blown right away (photo toldo botado).

The remaining party-goers hung on to the poles for an hour to try to keep a little dry (photo lluvia).

In the rain the barrio was a scene of desolation (photo desolacion).

Everyone was delighted with the activity, and the foundations for barrio organization were laid.

Viene Lluvia	Toldo Botado
Lluvia	Desolacion

Peter