We spent the most recent one (a 4-day Easter weekend) in southern Spain. Good Friday is the culmination of Semena Santa, or Holy Week, and it is marked by elaborate yet solemn parades throughout nearly every city in the country. We enjoyed watching the procession in Marbella, the small coastal town where we stayed, where parishioners from the local church processed through town at about midnight, covered all in black, praying and carrying huge crucifixes.
Saturday was a bit chilly for beach-attire, but perfect for a long run along the beach (especially when I got word that it was snowing in London - let's just say I wasn't exactly missing Hampsted Heath!)
We made every attempt to embrace local customs by venturing out to a bull-fight on Saturday night - although when we realized the bulls were actually being killed as part of the "festivities" (no, I really didn't know that would be the case!) we said a very quick goodbye. (If you decide to look at our full photo album on Shutterfly, be prepared for some pretty graphic images!).
Easter Mass was at a beautiful church in the Marbella city center and although our Spanish was far too limited to participate in most of the service we managed a few "paz de Cristo"'s at the appropriate time.
We enjoyed the weather while window shopping at some incredibly posh stores and gazing at huge yachts lining the harbour in Puerto Banus...
And the amazing views while driving to the scenic town of Ronda (no pics of that one - staying on the road and not tumbling down the edge of the mountain was enough of a challenge!)
It was our first trip to this beautiful, friendly, culture-rich country but definitely not the last. Adios for now...
(more pics on Shutterfly - here)
1 comment:
I can't wait to check out the pictures on Snapfish. That looks like a fabulous trip!! Miss you guys - A
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