fallas (part 1)

Even two days before fallas, we still had no idea what we were getting into. We werent sure what we were supposed to see or do, and nobody could really explain to us what fallas *was*.
I still cant quite explain. The closest it gets is "the fourth of july on crack", but that can't explain the artistic elements blended with the cultural, political and general debauchery-ical elements.
Key elements and definitions:
Mascleta: A daily fireworks display emphasizing sound.
Falla: a: the celebration of Fallas; b: the neighborhood organization that funds and organizes their own celebration; c: the monument/statue/structure of artistic merit whose burning characterizes Fallas.
Castillo: The nightly fireworks display emphasizing the visual.
Bunnuelos/churros/chocolate- Fallas treats! Bunyuelos are like donuts with pumpkin added. Churros are like donut sticks, but they come covered sugar, dunked in chocolate and filled with creme (or any combination of the above). Both treats are customary to be dunked in hot chocolate - which is rich and thick like pudding.
Lights- Big lights decorations are part of Fallas as well. Think Christmas lights on crack, albeit on the neighborhood scale.

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