Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
We have come to Parga, Lugo, to participate in a peculiar event.
We are at the 18th edition of the stonework, tripe stew and handicrafts fair
of Guitiriz County.
And this year, as a novelty, the reenactors.
Battle awaits us,
vehicle exhibitions and, of course, tripe stew.
Hard work is how the day begins.
The stone artisans are the first to arrive at this popular fair which has been organized
for the last 18 years in Guitiriz County.
The octopus cooks arrive early also.
Smells good!
Although it's beginning to remind me of gunpowder.
Fire!
Good morning.
We are going to demonstrate a piece of four pound artillery.
That was the weight of the projectile it fired. In those days there were no calibers.
These were muzzle loaded cannons, loaded through the mouth.
A four pound shell could reach about 800 or 900 meters.
The aiming system was shoot and correct.
Followed by a brush cleaning the interior.
It was cleaned to make sure no embers remained.
Attention, artillery...fire!
And that's a quick summary of what artillery was at that time. Any questions?
Yes, we have many.
What about following them and chat a bit?
Antonio, what a way to start the day!
This is to stimulate the public.
One thing we want to know,
why mix tripe stew with reenactment?
Our society is a live society.
Fairs are not only celebrated by musicians.
In this case also collectors, stone artisans
and people who collect antique vehicles.
That's what we are involved with.
We exhibit our hobbies, displaying what we collect so people can see them.
Object we treat with great care.
What do you have for the public today?
After this artillery display we are going to do a brief WW2 reenactment.
I say brief because we are relatively few people.
And we are going to move the vehicles so the people can see how they work.
These are authentic WW2 vehicles.
Vehicles which have been in Normandy and are in perfect working condition.
-Will I see you there? -Yes, and also my son.
-You come with your family! -He loves it.
-My son always goes to the M-8. -I'll see you there.
See you!
A classic Willys jeep, a BMW with sidecar,
a Dodge.
And the crown jewel, an M8 Light Armored Car.
And...a band of pipers!
If the public was impressed with the artillery demonstration,
they will be even more with the exhibition of historic military vehicles.
Here's the band again.
Let's enjoy the music.
They are going to play "Stars and Stripes".
Hi, German, what a bike! Where did you get it?
Check it out!
It wants to look like a BMW, but it's a Dnepr 7 ½.
Can you make a German motorcycle out of a Russian one?
Because the specifications are the same.
Russians bought the copyrights from the Germans.
The Soviet Union made thousands of them, but the most valuable ones are the real BMW's, the R-75,
of which this motorcycle is a copy.
So we take it apart and modify it and turn it into something
more like the original German model, the BMW.
I suppose this model is a lot cheaper.
Yes, the R-75 can cost as 35,000€, in mint condition.
Many of them were manufactured in Germany.
But since very few remain nowadays, it's the law of supply and demand.
So what did you modify?
Well, we've changed the handlebar.
The levers.
Added the BMW logos.
If you are a connoisseur on the subject, this will immediately get your attention.
This headlamp, and all the mechanical parts.
We've disguised the rear suspension a bit with these saddlebags.
So more or less it can look like a BMW.
They are usually difficult to make street legal and register.
People usually have them unregistered, in garages or back yard shacks.
People don't usually give them much value.
But for me...
They are a toy.
I love them.
I think we're going to confront each other in a little while. I hope we don't hurt each other.
I've been doing this for a few years and I've never won a battle.
It's beginning to undermine my morale.
So just switch over to our side.
See you later.
Antonio! You've changed.
You couldn't stand the other uniform any longer.
They gave me a kick and threw me 200 years ahead.
Are the machines ready?
Yes, we are going to do two reenacments.
One in the morning and another in the afternoon, both WW2.
We will do combat and move the vehicles.
The people enjoy it.
Yes, seeing these vehicles is spectacular.
Is this one original from WW2?
According to the documents, this one arrived in Europe via Normandy.
And the M8 also.
We are now touching a vehicle that was in WW2.
The Dodge as well as the M8.
So we'll see each other on the battlefield.
We will win as always.
See you.
Vehicles and reenactors go to their assembly points out of sight of the public.
While the routine is shown in a German check point, the allies wait to make their appearance.
An American Jeep enters the scene and skirmishes with the Germans.
An armored M-8 comes to aid the advance attack which has been unable to gain control of the situation.
Finally, the allied troops defeat the Germans.
This has been a bit chaotic.
I think some of us didn't know what we had to do. Me included.
I hope we do it better in the afternoon.
Practice makes perfect.
Our announcer is always so negative.
What if we resolve the doubts by asking the public?
How can this be? You come to a tripe stew fair and you find this.
It's OK.
It's good to do fairs with cultural variety.
Did you like it?
Of course!
-Entertaining. -Different.
-Everything is feasible. -It's the first time I've ever seen something like this.
-Something new. -Did you know that none of us are really soldiers?
None of you?
And half of us were never in the military.
I think it's good to show the children a world unknown nowadays.
-In the afternoon there will be another. -Good.
We're not going to miss it, especially for them, look at their enthusiasm.
It's clear that the public is not at all surprised
that we are here in the middle of this fair.
So it's time to replenish our strength. We're going for the tripe stew.
The organization gave abundant food to the group of reenactors.
Following the after lunch conversation the activities continue.
The public slowly approaches the exhibit of military vehicles.
The prizes are given out to the best pieces of stonework.
Hey...what's that noise?
I think the tripe stew has taken its toll.
Recommendation of the day: if you are a reenactor, moderation at the table.
Here I go.
If you want to eat well you have to come to Lugo.
And if you eat in excess, this is also the land of medicinal waters.
And of artisans!
Along with the fair there are many handicraft stands.
Maybe I'll find something good for reenactment.
-How are you doing? -Surviving.
We sell...but not much, really.
-Now that we are here. -That inspired the thing a bit.
-Is it the first time you've seen something like this? -Yes.
So then you agree with the mix?
Of course I do.I started doing this after I retired.
All this is your work?
I make everything you see here myself.
If you made something from the WW2 era we would surely buy it.
Yes, look.
I have this.
You put it like this.
Does it look good or what?
If you put it on one of those tanks...
Totally protected!
Very good.
Hope your day works out. And you can take a break
now there will be another reenactment, you're invited.
Yes, the motorcycles and the jeeps are very nice.
But the day is almost over and I don't want to leave before climbing aboard the M8 armored car.
What a jalopy!
Anybody in there? Hello?
-Yes? -Are you there?
-Can I come in? -Sure!
What do I have to do to own of these?
A bit of searching on Internet and the desire to do it,
to want it and search for it. Everything can be found.
For those of us who have no idea.
Do you need any special license?
For this Ford M8, being a 9 ton vehicle, you need a truck driver's license.
And that's all?
-Nothing special. -I suppose it's a historic vehicle.
Because this one is original.
It participated mostly in the Italian campaign.
It's an original from the WW2.
Tell us about the club you belong to.
It's the Classic and Military Jeep Club of Galicia.
It includes these types of vehicles.
As the name of the club says, from the American Jeep to any other nationality.
Like the Spanish "Viasa".
I understand that you like this stuff so much you are also a member of other associations.
I am also the President of the Galicia Automobile Club, a classic car club.
And also a member of the "Royal Green Jackets",
which organizes these types of events.
So you, instead of spending your savings on a few beers you spend it on this.
Wheels, mechanics, and bodywork.
And after the rehearsal this morning, we are doing a repeat performance.
There's a new audience.
We can consider it a rehearsal.
So let's see if this time comes out better.
A German officer arrives at a checkpoint for an inspection.
The allies, with the M8 and Jeep, wait nearby, motors runnig.
Both sides are prepared for combat, the Jeep is the first to appear.
This time, the American Jeep is successfully repelled by the Germans.
After the failed first attack, the armed M8 makes its appearance.
The allies are again victorious, capturing the few Germans that remain alive.
Well that's another thing.
Although the spectators are always satisfied.
At the end there are always photos and more photos.
-What a routine! -Yeah!
But happy.
We end up tired but we have a good time.
And what a jalopy!
It's an ideal vehicle for a reenactment.
I'm on my way.
I suppose we'll see each other in "Ariete".
Please!
Well that's it for today's chapter.
Next week, we'll sweat it out in the first reenactment of the Battle of Arapiles.
On a very special date.
The bi-centennial of this historic event.
We'll be expecting you in tropaguripa.com
and in our facebook and twitter accounts.
Don't miss it. Dismissed!