Gaucin, Andalusia.
Apartment, village near the mountains.

Gaucín (pronounced gow-THEEN) is a village in the mountains of Andalusia in southern Spain, inland from Marbella, Puerto Banus and Estepona, and not far from Ronda.

The village has a population of approximately 2,000. It lies about 600 metres above sea level in the Sierra del Hacho, dominated by the Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle), originally a Roman stronghold, expanded by the Arabs.

Gaucín is known for its spectacular views of Gibraltar, the Strait of Gibraltar and Morocco, as well the surrounding mountain scenery. It can be used as a base for visits to the so-called pueblos blancos of Andalusia. The village is reached by a 24km climb up a mountain road and presided over by a medieval castle. The population is augmented by a growing group of British expatriates. In the tourist shops, cork items are very popular, because cork forests surround the village.

Gaucín has been the inspiration of a number of artists and writers, and has been referred to as the "balcony of the Ronda Mountains, where the Holy Child appeared to St. John of God: the illustrious, always noble, very hospitable village of Gaucín."

Emma== The Feria ==

The Feria is the town’s biggest celebration. It lasts for three or occasionally four days and is a celebration of the town itself. These festivities take part in early August. On the first day of the Feria a large parade is held that includes the town band, many children with masks on, the ¨reinas¨ (queens) who are elected from the local girls.There are two sets of queens and their three damas (ladies) to each queen. One queen is around the age of 17 and the other of about 8, both queens have damas of similar ages. It is said that they are elected on their grounds of beauty - however this has always been a contreversial point! They begin the parade in horse drawn carriages, which run through the village to the opening point of the Feria. The parade route is lined on both sides by the crowd and the parade has passed they continue to the opening area, known as the "Portechuelo". The parade culminates at the Feria grounds, and when the tape blocking the entrance is cut the Feria officially begins. Preceding the parade to alert the town to be ready is a small fireworks show. The Queens and their damas are also crowned at the beginning of the Feria and wear a banner throughout the Feria to show their status. It is a big honour to be crowned as the queen or dama.

There are three rides at the Feria, which the young children are said to enjoy. These are El Saltamontes a pneumatic rides that spins in circles whilst bouncing up and down, bumper cars, and a small rollercoaster (but very small) on which ballons are handed out, whilst circling the track. EL Saltamontes blasts loud Reggaeton and American rap, however, they generally, as do the bumper cars, play the most popular tunes of the summer, as well as dances songs. The cost of a ticket to all of these rides is normally 3 Euros, but on Children’s Day they only cost 1 Euro. For the very young children there are funhouses where 1 Euros upwards buys 5 minutes of time inside. However, before and after the feria has started and finished some rides will set up and function at half price.

There are two games booths at the Feria. One, is a shooting booth where one must shoot a prize attached to a toothpick two win it. In esence on must break the toothpick with a BB shot from a crooked gun in order to win prizes from stuffed animals, to alcohol, to South Park relics. The other games booth is a darts booth where one must throw crooked darts at a wall of balloons in order to win a stuffed animal. The game is quite simple and it only operates for a profit because the price of the stuffed animals it doles out are cheaper than the price to play the game. However, these booths do not always make it every year to the Feria and some years there are other rides, such as bumper cars for little children.

There is a great wealth and variety of food for sale at the Feria. When one first arrives at the entrance of the Feria, there a large stand is set up, its wares include candy and nut filled sacs and other sweets in there normal packaging. Then, in between El Saltamontes and the bumper cars, there is a Hamburgesa stand which sells sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Next, in front of the disco area there is a traditional Spanish food stand where lamb chops and French fries are plentiful. Another popular stand is one in front of the pavilion which sells freshly made potato chips. Lastly inside the pavilion there is a Spanish caterer which has a service in which they bring food to and from your table.

For the adults at the feria there is a Spanish pop band playing inside the pavilion every night. For those too old to go on rides and restless in the company of the towns old people, a discotheque has been set off on a part of the fair grounds. Little dancing takes place there however. Nevertheless, this depends on the quality and popularity of the bands in the main pavillion, as in 2005 the discotheque for the young was packed, yet in 2006 it was empty.

The Feria is a big event for everyone in the town and is the almost the highlight of the summer. Everyone goes out, even the young children and babies, which many people can not comprehend but this is part of the Spanish culture with a very strong family unit. Many women dress up in traditional dress, as do most of the children. The feria is a time to have a fun and be with your friends and family and many people return to Gaucin and their parents to celebrate it.

There where also in 2006 motorbike and quad races and every year there are "Carreras de Cinta" (ribbon races), which involve cantering towards a string with ribbons wrapped around it and putting a stick through the loop of a ribbon. It looks easy but is very challening, especially as you are meant to be moving at a high speed.