Santander Local Customs

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El juego de los bolos es típico en Santander y en Parte de la zona de Cantabria , se juega principalmente en el verano .
Cada jugador tira tres bolas en una dirección y vuelve a tirar en la dirección opuesta y ganará el que más bolos tire
Se juega con 9 bolos que están separados una distancia considerable y un bolo pequeño adicional que se coloca separado de los otros y sirve para definir el tipo de juego y para dar la oportunidad de hacer jugadas especiales que dan más tanteo de bolos

The game of bowling ( Bolos) is typical in Santander and in parts of the region of Cantabria and it is played mostly in the summer.
Each player throws three balls in one direction and then plays also in the opposite direction and and the winer will be who hits more bowls
It is played with 9 bowling pins that are separated a considerable distance and a small additional bowling pin which is placed separately from the others and serves to define the type of game and to give a chance to do special moves that give more scoring bowling

It is common knowledge that meals in Spain are taken later than in the rest of the world. Many people, while they wait for their late lunch, especially on weekends, kill their hunger with an appéritif in their favourite bar. The most popular order to accompany the drinks in Santander are the rabas, or deep-fried strips of squid in a light crisp-golden batter (in some places they serve squid rings, but strips do taste better!!).

They are available all over the place, but some of the best places are located near the Maritime Station. And, on Sundays, many will go out of town to the Beach of the Virgin of the Sea (patroness of the city) just to have their portion of rabas.

For the lucky people who have no time constraints because of their jobs, it is only after a long chat over the vermouth that it is time to go for a home-cooked lunch or for a pantagruelic meal in a local restaurant.

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As soon as there is a hint of nice weather, the city's promenades are filled with walkers and joggers of all ages and conditions. One of the best facts about Santander is that there are no high buildings on the waterfront, which is lined mostly with gardens and parks. This makes a perfect place for walking or jogging.

Although now is considered a religious celebration, the celebration of San Juan has its roots in the pagan tradition which probably started when Spain was populated by celtic people. The original idea was to celebrate the beginning of summer but with time it degenerated to a religious celebration of Saint John.
It's celebrated the night of June 23rd and the tradition is to make a big fire at every town. In Santander the fire is done in the beacjhch of El Sardinero at night. After a couple of beers, people start jumping the fire and of course accidents happen ...

Romerias are an old tradition in Spain where every town has its own. Its basically a local party or fair with music
and some atractions. In principle Romerias have a religious connection where the town celebrates its patron or saint. Every town has its how saint.
I hate the kind of music they play but there is a big chance you will have fun if you like salsa and that kind of music. In summer there are a lot of them.

This market was a fantastic sight. The Spaniards really love their fresh fish, so fresh that most of the lobsters and prawns were still alive!!
There seemed to be every kind of fish imagineable.
The noise in there was incredible too.
Great for people watching and getting a feel of the locals going about their daily routine.

USEFUL INFO ABOUT CANTABRIA
There is a general info phone for tourism (9-21 h every day): 902 111 112
Tourism official page: www.turismo.cantabria.org
For accomodations: Asociacion de Turismo Rural de Cantabria, Asociacion Empresarial de Hosteleria de Cantabria

Esta roca con forma de camello es todo un símbolo para los Santanderinos

This rock with Camel shape is a symbol for the people from Santander