The Spanish know how to party.
Today, January 6th, is technically the Day of Epiphany, but more popularly known as Three Kings Day in Spain. Here, where Catholicism has long become a mere piece of cultural window-dressing for the majority of citizens, the holiday is more accurately about having a good time (sort of the like America has done with Easter and the whole bunny thing).
In that spirit, the Spaniards have an enormous parade on their equivalent of Christmas Eve (January 5th). Float after float drives by enormous crowds of Spaniards, many of whom hold umbrellas, upside-down, outstretched over their heads. They are the smart ones, the umbrella holders, because not only do they increase their capacity to catch candy, but they can also shelter themselves from the hail of goodies being hurled at them from well-wishers on the floats.
And they do throw them: none of this tossing nonsense.
At the end of it all, at least 50 minutes worth of parading—and we got there a little late—the streets were covered inch-deep in sticky sweets. The hems of my jeans clung stickily to the heels of my shoes as the once dauntless purple Keds squelched back across the bridge to Triana.
On the upside, I got to see not only my novio fresh from his flight from the states, but also such religious icons as Indiana Jones, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and the Simpson family. My favorite part, however, was the several brass bands playing along the way such tunes as “Under the Sea” and “Waving Flag”) and generally inspiring illogical happiness.
The Spanish do indeed know how to party.
On a side note, I swear I notice that the font is way too large for these posts. I'm working on it. I just haven't been able to figure out how to make it smaller without making it ridiculously small. My apologies.
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