By Beatriz Prior
1. It is very important to know someone who lives in Seville and who has got a “caseta”, so he/she can introduce you in the authentic festival, and you will live the real experience with the native people. The “caseta” is like a stand decorated with lights and typical flamenco things. It is a place where a group of people (friends, family or coworkers) meets to eat, drink, sing and dancing “sevillanas” or flamenco.
2. If you don´t know anyone who has got a caseta, you won´t be able to get into them because most of them are private. So you need know which of them are public.
3. Eat something often during the fest because so you’ll be able to combat the effects of alcohol.
4. Be ready to dancer the traditional dances because it’s very likely that someone will ask you to dance with him or her. If you don’t know how to dance it’s not a problem; what is important is try do it and smile all the time. It is easy when you have drunk two or three cup of cold “manzanilla”, which is a white Jerez wine which everyone drinks during this festival.
5. If someone invites you to drink or eat something, you must invite him/her the next time.
6. Make sure your shoes are comfortable. People dress very elegantly but you must remember that you will stand a lot of hours dancing or talking with your friends. Also if you want to go to “The Hell’s Street” where there is a sort of amusement park, you will do better if you wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
7. Be careful in the mornings if you walk around the festival place because it is full of horse carriages and riders. Fortunately it is only in the morning!
8. Study how to clap with your hands to keep the traditional musical rhythm up. It is very important when people are dancing or singing!
9. At the end, it will be very nice if you go to the festival with a flower in your hair (if you are a woman) or in your jacket (if you are a man).
Students of English: have your say! 