The Slower Road

Tell me, dear blog readers: When was the last time you heard me talking about the rain in Spain? Why, the last time I was in Spain, of course. For a place that doesn’t (usually) get much rain, it sure does seem to rain a lot when I’m here in Sevilla.

It rained off and on yesterday afternoon, poured during the night, and has been pouring with rain off and on again this morning. And, yes, Sevilla’s Semana Santa processions are often cancelled if it rains, just like the carriage exhibitions in the bullring. Many of the pasos (“floats” with the Virgin Mary in fabulous robes and scenes from Holy Week) are centuries old.

I have yet, therefore, to see an actual Semana Santa procession. But I was privileged to go inside one of Sevilla’s oldest and most beautiful churches to see two of the pasos up close.

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And, I apologize, but I think I missed another day of posting to the blog. It was hard to keep track of the day/time from Wednesday morning (when I left Kentucky) until very late Thursday night (Thurs. evening at home), what with the travel time, the time-zone changes, and being (mostly) awake for nearly thirty-six hours. But I should be back on track now.

Later today, I’ll try to post some Semana Santa photos. Stay tuned!

As you read this, I’m on my way to Seville, Spain, where I’ll be spending a few days before meeting up with the participants on this year’s CAA trip to Spain.

If you’ve read the blog during my last two trips to Spain, you’ll know that I have been there for — but have yet to see — the 2009 and the 2010 carriage exhibition in the bullring, which is presented by the Royal Andalusian Carriage Club and precedes the feria each year. I have yet to see it because it’s been rained out the past two years. I hope, I hope, I hope the weather cooperates this year, because this promises to be a fabulous event.

I found this three-minute video clip from the 1991 exhibition, and all I can say is, “Wow.”

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