Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Photo of La Tomatina Festival courtesy of www.arteyfotografia.com

It’s the last Wednesday in August. You know what that means!

What… you don’t?

Today is the day for La Tomatina festival! What is La Tomatina? Well, more specifically than “the most epic food fight EVER”, it is a festival in Buñol, Spain where people gather to throw over 50 metric tons of past-ripe tomatoes in the streets. It’s messy, its crazy, and most of all, its just really tomato-ey.

Originating in 1944 or 1945, this messy brawl has mysterious origins but a strong modern presence. La Tomatina is held annually and attracts anywhere between 20,000-40,000 tourists there to participate in a week of fun leading up to the tomato fight.

On the final Wednesday in August, the Palo Jabón event, in which people try to climb to the top of a greased pole to collect a ham–yes, a ham—prefaces the tomato fight. Around 11am after the ham is dropped, water cannons signal the start, trucks dump the load of tomatoes into Plaza del Pueblo, and the chaos begins.

But it’s not all unbridled fun. Of course, there are a few rules, like the banning other projectiles and a mandate that tomatoes are squashed prior to throwing… and other than that, its pretty much a free for all for one hour where alliances mean nothing, acquaintance is unimportant, and the only thing of significance is to hit as many people with tomatoes as possible.

If you are lucky enough to be near Buñol, or even Valencia, for the final week of August, make your way to Buñol for one of the strangest festivals you may ever attend.

Ever been to La Tomatina? How about another super messy festival? Let us know about it in the comments below! (Click here if you have trouble loading the comments: Gettin’ [Tomato] Saucy at La Tomatina)

Armed for Songkran- Photo by Talen of thailandofsmiles.com

The moment you’ve locked eyes with your target, it’s already too late. You maintain an intense stare to hide the fear in your soul and fumble around your waist to prepare your gun.

You raise it to your shoulder and put your hand on the trigger. It feels light in your arms. Half tank at most. Will it be enough?

You choke down the rest of your hesitation knowing that this is your last moment and your only chance to protect yourself… to defend your pack… to salvage any degree of pride that you once had before this terrible game began. 

By the time you work up enough confidence, something unexpected happens.

 Attacked from behind. You hadn’t even though to watch the rear! You’re finished. Ice Water.

What is this battle royale, this sardonic hunting game, this death match? I’ll give you a hint… it’s not the Hunger Games. Its Songkran, of course!

Every April, Thailand shuts down and gears up for–the ultimate in youthful fantasies—a nationwide water fight spanning 3 days. Shelves are stocked with themed weapons, some serious enough to put super soakers to shame, all just a fill away from becoming your biggest asset for the next few days.

People of all ages and nationalities congregate into city centers throughout Thailand, and load up buckets, squirt guns, water balloons, coolers, and even water tanks in preparation for the fight. Songkran is wild and indiscriminate fun, as strangers sneak up and blast each other in the ear with sea water. Walk the streets at your own risk as, gun or no gun, you’re a prime target. Sit in a songtaew and literally get hosed by every bypasser.

Leave the iPhone in the hotel, invest in some good artillery, and join in on one the most entertaining endeavors into Thai culture. To read more about Songkran in Thailand, check out Bring Your Dry Bag ‘Cause  You’re Gonna Get Soaked!

If water fights are not your thing, then mid-April in Thailand is not your thing. However, here are a couple other messy festivals you might enjoy around the world!

• La Tomatina Festival, Spain: Food fights just got specific. An hour long tomato fight erupts in the streets of Buñol, Spain every August.
• Boryeong Mud Festival, South Korea: If mineral rich dirt is good for your skin, obviously a mud slinging battle in the streets of Boryeong, South Korea for 9 days will leave you radiant. Go in July for some really dirty fun.

What’s the craziest festival you’ve heard of? (click here if you can’t see Facebook comments below)