(The images get bigger if you truly believe... and click them.)
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| ARRIVAL PHOTO FROM THE WEB. WE DIDN'T GO OUT UNTIL THE PARADE REACHED OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD. |
I've read that the Magi didn't actually arrive in Bethlehem until two years after the birth of Jesus. Camels are a lot slower than helicopters.
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| MARIPOSAS (BUTTERFLIES) QUICKLY FLUTTER BY. |
Following tradition, the participants on all the floats threw "caramelos" to the spectators. Our first year in Spain, I heard the word "caramelo" and I was delighted. But, my first painful knock on the head was another lesson.
"Caramelo" is used generically for candy. Soft caramels (a sweet I love) were not being gently lobbed. Hard candies (boiled sweets) were being tossed or sometimes brutally thrown at us. People wear hats and carry umbrellas to catch the "caramelos" and to protect their heads.
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| THE FIRST FLOAT. |
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| PEPPA THE PIG. |
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| JIMINY CHRISTMAS, THIS IS FUN! |
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| MOST KIDS HERE CALL THEM MARIO BROZE, NOT REALISING 'BROS.' IS SHORT FOR BROTHERS. |
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| AND AFTER SUPER MARIO BROZE... SUPER MAN! |
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| THE FLOAT BEARING GASPAR. |
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| GASPAR. (NOT ONE PASSABLE SHOT OF A KING.) |
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| "ALL THE KIDS IN THE MARKETPLACE SAY: AY OH WHEY OH, AY OH WHEY OH; WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN." |
This year, I really was delighted when the first "caramelos" to hit me were gummy candies. Although there were still some hard candies being jettisoned by some gleeful little 'imps,' and even the gummy candies could hurt if thrown hard enough. I wrapped my scarf around my head to protect myself, which caused one concerned little girl to ask why my head was bandaged.
As San Geraldo Scrooge said this beautiful Three Kings Day morning. "I'm glad this is the last day of this damned holiday!"
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| MY PLUNDER. I GAVE AWAY MOST OF WHAT I CAUGHT. DISPLAYED IN MY 1965 NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR TIN TRAY... WHICH, YES, I ACTUALLY BOUGHT MYSELF WHEN I WAS THERE 50 YEARS AGO! |
Looks a lot of fun! When I lived in Madrid we used to really enjoy the three kings celebrations, especially the sweets - any excuse! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteHayley:
DeleteIt would be fun to see the cabalgata in Madrid. Sevilla's is huge.
The Magi would have arrived in Bethlehem a lot bloody sooner if Mary had the gumption to prestock some of El Grincho's brownies and lemon bars in the fridge
ReplyDeleteTy:
DeleteSG baked for the family, but they didn't tell anyone.
I was just talking about this in class today! I had to show the French classes what the guys in Spain get to do... and then I let them know that the Frenchies just get a paper crown LOL.
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteSpaniards are so much more fun!
Great pictures of the parade!!! Feliz día de Reyes and Happy New Year, Mitchell! :) Hope it's an amazing year for you guys!!
ReplyDeleteBrittany:
DeleteWishing you the same. As for the parade pics, I'm pleased I managed to get decent enough shots to tell the story. I was too close to be able to get really good pics.
An interesting title! I was slightly disapointed
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteSorry, but at least I got your attention.
I wish we celebrated it more here, apart from going to mass.
ReplyDeleteRachel:
DeleteThat's all I knew of it in the States, too. Parades and candy are so much more fun than mass.
Sweetie dodging could be the next Olympic event!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteLast year in Sevilla a really nice man standing next to us got hit hard on the head. His glass were knocked off and he had a huge knot above his eye. And he was in no shape for the Olympics. I meant to wear a felt hat this year, but forgot, so was relieved to be hit by soft candies. (Although one rotten kid, threw a handful at the back of my head with as much force as he could muster.)
we celebrate too but in a different way.I have written about it
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteI was never even aware really of the Epiphany as an actual holiday in the States. It's fun to see here.
The Mariposa shot is wonderful. I love gummie candies; not sure I would have shared.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteI am so glad I shared my loot. Each time I eat one I get heartburn. But that doesn't stop me from eating them. I will be so happy when they're gone!
Love the floats, and the 'broze'.
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteI cracked up when I heard about the popularity of Mario Broze. "Who's he?" I asked.
thank you for posting; I did not know about this holiday in spain. and I agree with your husband - THANK THE DOGS AND CATS the season is over!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteI'm not far behind Jerry and you on being "over" the holidays.
I'll admit that I agree with San Geraldo... I might even start wearing my hearing aids again.
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteIt's been fun, but I'm ready for things to get back to normal. I'm even tired of seeing the Christmas decorations.
Thought that 3 Kings Day would be big in New Mexico, but not a mention of it on TV or anywhere. Carnival begins and King Cakes are on the to do list.
ReplyDeleteFrank:
DeleteI'm also surprised this isn't a big thing in New Mexico.
I never even got my roscon de reyes this year! I feel deprived.
Man, these Spaniards know how to party! Makes the French look absolutely stodgy. And they're not. And now I have "Walk like and Egyptian" looping around in my head. All the cops in the doughnut shops say...
ReplyDeleteer... AN Egyptian. I seem to have a surplus of d's.
DeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteI know someone (really the husband of someone I know... and they will both remain nameless) who ALWAYS writes "an" instead of "and." It drives me crazy, but now I understand that you were simply hogging the Ds.
That's pretty cool. Looks fun! ^_^
ReplyDeleteFitStuds:
DeleteYou should see Sevilla's parade!
Oh, I am always so tempted to rain on their parade (figuratively) when people talk of the three Magi/Kings/Wise men (and this would be one hell of a parade to dampen, so we'll not go there) when none of the gospels mentions the number that there were - only these three gifts, most likely among other gifts.
ReplyDeleteStill, what we see above looks like tremendous fun - and, as we've found out through your blogs, the Spanish only need to hear the words procession or parade to rush off, dress up and all come out to make whoopee and a loud noise.
Btw: I'm sure I mentioned above that Cologne cathedral (where I lived for 3 years) contains the supposed tombs of the 'Three Kings'. I'm intrigued as to what and who they actually do contain - and how they ended up where they are. But I can't see the R.C. Church allowing a scientific investigation of the remnants, which are more than likely unidentifiable dust by now. They will never want a good story spoilt - and no one can deny that it IS a good story.
Ray:
DeleteI did a lot of reading on the "story" of the Magi this year and was surprised to learn that there was never any mention of three actual people. Hilarious that, although there were never really three specific kings, there are three specific tombs in Cologne cathedral containing their remains. It's a miracle!
Really does look like a lot of fun! The kids must LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteBut on the other hand, I bet it does get a little crazy....I understand San Geraldo's reaction.
Jim:
DeleteThe kids really do love the Three Kings Parade. And so do I. Fuengirola's is nothing like the one in Sevilla, but this year's was much more fun than the one I saw two years ago here.
Here in the States we dropped Twelfth Night and Epiphany etc. and I am sorry we did so. I like the notion of holidays like you show here. How marvelous.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteCelebrations do seem much more festive here. But, I have to admit, at this point I want everyone to take down their damned decorations. The longest holiday season in creation.
(re: your response to my comment above)
ReplyDeleteactually, Mitch, you might well have read how there's a body of opinion who think that there were no 'gifts' at all but the three items mentioned are mere symbols indicating various aspects of the future life and after-life of the new-born baby. After all, who would give myrrh as a present to the mother of a baby, when its chief use was in preparing a corpse for burial? Sounds to me every but as preposterous as the notion of a virgin birth, but this is an ex-Christian speaking