Our group of Spanish Culture & Cuisine members left Javea on Wednesday morning, making our way to Elche with a coffee stop enroute. Our destination was the Museu Escolar de Puçol, which turned out to be far larger than we had anticipated.
The group was divided into two, one half having a guided tour of the museum with Marian, whilst the other group were practicing their palm weaving skills (under the guidance of Jose, Elena and Melany!) in the workshop. After a break for refreshments outside in the sunshine, the two groups then swapped over.
The museum was fascinating, as we were all of an age to remember our parents (and ourselves) using many of the exhibits on display, from ink wells and quills in wooden school desks, satchels, front parlours with small box-shaped tvs, heavy irons, old cameras, chamber pots, etc etc, so much a part of our memories from childhood days. There was a “street of shops” where parents and grandparents used to go for their shopping needs: washing powder (including Persil and Omo), magazines, toys, and groceries; the bar where they used to meet and the drinks they consumed; the magazines they bought and the sweets for children; their hats and clothing … it was a fascinating hour marveling at how life was like at Camp d’Elx and in the city, not so many years ago!
In the workshop members learned the patient art of folding, twisting, and shaping each frond into intricate designs—some perfect, others not quite so! Jose had an abundance of patience!
After a very interesting, fun and informative few hours at the Museum, we reboarded our coach and made our way to Elche, where we had an excellent lunch with plenty of wine at the Restaurante Monumental. It was an excellent day all round, especially as the sun beamed down! Angela thanked our excellent driver, Vicente, and all the members who had made this such a fun day.
Report by the group leader, Angela Chantry
Photographs by Cheryl Elliott, Tom Miller & Angela Chantry. Our guide, Marian, has kindly provided the following link in case other members may wish to find out more about the Museu Escolar de Puçol.