We had been warned about a massive demonstration in Madrid that could become violent so when one evening I came across packed streets and rows of police I presumed it was in progress. I could hear a loud brass band which did not quite fit with my image of angry demonstrators. It got louder and louder as I approached. I raced into the hotel where my friends were staying on the first floor. We threw open the curtains and shutters to reveal a huge religious procession coming around a corner to the local church followed by a band. An enormous float holding the Virgin Mary on a donkey was being carried by up to 24 men or Costaleros. The corner they were turning was so tight for such a huge float they were literally shuffling, almost marking time on the spot as they manoeuvred through such a tight space. The marching drum band followed close behind. My photos are not good as it was dark and I was not very close but it was an amazing thing to witness. We asked many people in order to find out what was the reason for the procession. The only explanation given to me was ‘rehearsalling’ for Easter.
Amazing, and so luck to get that first-floor view!
Posted by: Semiotiq | 03/29/2015 at 08:28 AM