El Viernes Santo & Holy Week

Good Friday? What's today really all about?

And this is what's going on in Sevilla. The rain hasn't been this heavy--bad enough to cancel the Semana Santa processions--in 80 years.

Although the santos have not made it out of the churches, sevillanos, tourists and those of us abroad who don't quite fit either category, certainly do our best to catch a glimpse of them. I took a walk yesterday, braving the busy streets, to see what there was to see:

These are not members of the Klan. The KKK perverted this religious tradition and now, as I assume the majority of Americans here, I am slightly frightened of these figures as they stalk down the streets. They are dressed in this manner as a sign of humility and during a procession, actually distribute candy to kids who remember to ask Nazareno, dame un caramelo!

 
I was walking in black jeans, organic shoes (whatever that means) and a nice sweater. With my red bag slung over my shoulder, providing protection for my camera from the torrential rains, I felt ridiculously under-dressed for strolling the streets of Sevilla.

I tried to take a walk today, but it was too much. People everywhere! Stands someone must have borrowed from a circus clutter the streets! A small street I usually love to walk down was populated with purple nazarenos and so I turned around then and there. When everyone around you is well-dressed and/or in a disconcerting costume, and bustling about knowing precisely where they're going, or flawlessly giving that impression, it doesn't do much for the ol' self-esteem or comfort level. I watched Pride and Prejudice in Spanish and called it a day.

Thankfully I toughed it out on the slick, cobblestone streets yesterday and can now share these photos. I was truly glad for the rain. An umbrella provides blessed anonymity and shelter from which I could more easily shoot photos of the people and peculiarities I found.








I look forward to attending class on Monday. Spanish literature hasn't changed, nor will there be any tourists or nazarenos in my classroom.

 

See the rest of the photos here.