Burning the Boquerón and Adventures in Frigiliana

Hello and welcome back to a new edition of the Spanish Weekly Newsletter.

Last week was a bit of a roller coaster, I was very busy with work so my adventures were a bit more limited compared to normal, but hey that's life sometimes.. Thank you, as always, for being here and following along on this journey. If you’re new, welcome, you can always explore previous newsletters to catch up on life in Spain so far.

Málaga’s Carnival Celebration, Satire, and Community

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I recently released a video diving into my experience of Málaga’s Carnival, and what a week it was. I talked about this in my newsletter last week but in case you missed it here is an overview of the video!

Carnival in Spain isn’t just a party it’s layered with history, symbolism, and community. Traditionally, it marks the final period of indulgence before Lent begins, but here it also carries deeper meaning. During the Franco dictatorship, Carnival celebrations were banned for decades, silencing satire and public expression. Its revival represents not just festivity, but freedom the ability to laugh, critique, and celebrate openly again.

The week unfolds through a series of events, each with its own character:

The festivities begin with a vibrant parade through the city. Floats roll through the streets, confetti fills the air, and thousands of people dress in elaborate costumes. The atmosphere is electric playful, chaotic, and joyful all at once.

Throughout the week, performance groups known as murgas take the stage. These groups spend nearly a year writing humorous songs, building costumes, and rehearsing routines all designed to poke fun at politics, scandals, and current events. It’s comedy with teeth, delivered through music and theater.

One of the most unique traditions is the crowning of the Carnival “God” and “Goddess.” Local groups create elaborate costumes and floats, competing for the honor. The figures themselves often parody classical mythology or cultural icons, flipping tradition on its head in true Carnival fashion.

The drag show was one of the highlights bold, theatrical, and deeply entertaining. It showcased incredible creativity and humor, reinforcing how Carnival creates space for expression in all forms.

Later came the Battle of the Flowers, where crowds gather as floats shower the streets with petals. It’s beautiful chaos colorful, playful, and a little overwhelming in the best way.

The celebration ends with the symbolic burial of the Boquerón (anchovy), a local icon. This ritual represents letting go of the past year’s worries, failures, and doubts before entering the reflective Lenten season.

About halfway through the week, I came down with a nasty cold that forced me to slow down significantly. It was frustrating to miss parts of the celebration, but it also reminded me of something important: sometimes the story isn’t about seeing everything it’s about experiencing what you can. Some of the footage I had to work with friends to capture just so I could even make the video, a big shout out to them!

Even with the interruption, the energy of the city was unforgettable. Every plaza had music. Every street had costumes. And everywhere you looked, people were laughing together.

To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed by Malaga's carnival, part of that could have been due to my illness in the middle, but it felt like there was a missing spark for much of it. Spain is home to even larger Carnival celebrations Cádiz is famous for its satirical performances, and the Canary Islands host enormous festivals rivaling those in Brazil. But Málaga’s version felt intimate, local, and deeply rooted in community.

Mountain Adventure: A Hike That Turned Into a River Crossing

This past weekend I led a small hiking adventure near Frigiliana along the waterways of the Río Higuerón and it turned into a much bigger adventure than expected.

The trail began peacefully, winding through rugged terrain with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The landscape here feels almost cinematic dramatic ridges, deep valleys, and a sense of wildness that’s hard to find near major cities.

This adventure was along an old water canal and promised some incredible views, although part of the path was treacherous, but thankfully everyone made it safely and it was a lot of fun in the end!

Then came the river crossings.

Multiple times.

And there was no way around them.

Each crossing meant stepping into cold mountain water, balancing on slippery rocks, and accepting that our shoes were going to be completely soaked. What started as a scenic hike turned into a splash-filled adventure the kind that becomes fun precisely because it doesn’t go according to plan.

Despite the wet feet, spirits stayed high. There’s something bonding about shared discomfort mixed with laughter and beautiful scenery. By the end, we were tired, wet, and grinning.

Honestly? It was one of those days that reminds me exactly why I moved here.

Sabor de España

This week I had a simple but classic Spanish Dish, Pork and sweet potatoes and honestly this is easily one of the best Spanish dishes I have had since arriving in Malaga. The wine we had with it was from a local Bodega (winery) that produced natural wines, the flavor was unique and honestly not to my preference, but I was glad to get to try something new.

This was at an event with a friend where I got to meet some tourists on holiday from Canada the evening was filled with stories and wonderful conversations. It's nights like these where I am grateful for the chance to make new connections.
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I even learned that there is a store in Malaga that focuses on ink pen repairs, who knew?!

What’s Next

Moving forward, I’ll be aiming to release a new video roughly every two weeks. This pace will allow me the creative space to explore, write, film, and produce content that feels meaningful rather than rushed. I've been feeling burnt out recently and had to take a few days off from filming as I have felt a bit of loathing to even pickup the camera. I

I want each video to capture something real not just what I’m seeing, but what I’m learning and experiencing along the way.

Thank you for following this journey with me.

See you on the trail,
​Evan The Wayfarer