One of my favorite aspects of Granada, Spain, is the nightlife. I think OU would approve of (and be a bit jealous of) the legal drinking age here: 18.
Drinking is a huge part of the Spanish lifestyle. Most Spaniards have a drink or two with dinner and lunch every day. I have a feeling that kegs and eggs might be considered a normal, balanced breakfast.
Last Friday, my hostelmates told me that the plan for the night was to go to the botellón and then to a discoteca. I wasn't sure if the botellón (literally translated as big bottle) was a bar, or what. Apparently, you could bring your own drinks as well. My hostelmates were loaded with bags from the supermercado.
I had planned on having a low-key night to conserve my energy for the group hike in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the morning. I now know all too well that discoteca means returning home around 5 a.m. All the same, I'm not one to miss out, so I decided to at least check out the botellón, whatever it was.
On the way, we joined a river of Spanish teenagers and university students all headed to the same mysterious place. They all looked like my friends, with their arms weighed down by plastic bags full of liquor bottles and lemon-orange Fanta, the Granada mixer-of-choice.
We followed the crowd to the enormous parking lot behind what I like to think of as the Super Walmart of Spain, Hipercor. Our river flowed into an ocean of about 1,500 18-to-24-year-olds, all drinking and socializing in the parking lot.
I learned that this is the only place in Granada where it's legal to drink outside. If the police catch you drinking in the street elsewhere, you could end up with a 300 euro ($437!) fine.
So, I now know what the botellón is: the ultimate pre-gaming spot of Granada. It seemed as if the entire young population of Granada was in attendance. The atmosphere was relaxed and low-key. Everyone was talking and laughing with one another, enjoying the last weekend before the start of term.
No beer pong, beer bongs or keg stands. There weren't any fires or fights. I actually didn't see one police officer all night. Even though it was a huge crowd, it didn't need to be supervised or controlled.
A highlight of the night was teaching some Spaniards how to play Thumper. I think they enjoyed themselves immensely. I can see it being the hit of the botellón next week.
3 Culture
Merete Kenworthy
