Fiestas de primavera

I was welcomed back to Spain with two weeks of celebration. “Semana santa”, or Holy Week, is cause for a bit of commotion in Murcia. On Good Friday, as I was walking home from the bus station, I was trapped on a street corner by a procession. There were people dressed in long purple gowns that reached their feet and tall pointy hats with an attached face mask that honestly struck fear in my heart. While this type of attire has an entirely different cultural connotation in the US, it was interesting to watch the small parade pass. There were men carrying a large station of Jesus carrying His own cross. There were more costumed people beating drums, others playing a horn so long they were pushed on the ground by attached wheels (that sounded akin to a vuvuzela), and others that were carrying crosses of their own.

Saturday was spent by my roommates and I preparing Easter dinner. I cooked my mom’s onion potato recipe. My roommate, Anna, and I went to the Easter Vigil mass that night. It was close to three hours long, but it was cool to see the baptisms and candle ceremonies in a Spanish style. After the mass was done, special Easter bread was served with the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my entire life. The next day we hosted nearly a dozen friends for dinner. The potatoes were demolished. I am also happy to say that the Easter bunny reached me all the way in Spain!

Tuesday brought Murcia’s biggest celebration: Bando de huerta. On this day, locals dress in matching white outfits with a colored vest and sash. I was lucky enough to have someone that let me borrow one! The parade on the day of Banda is mayhem. People throw food from trucks as they drive down the main road. My roommates and I caught enough for dinner!! I caught some bread, salchicha (sausage), a bag of lemons, some boiled eggs, and broccoli—not bad for a beginner. You just have to take care not to get hit by something like a beer can.

The parties continued with “Entierra de la sardina” which celebrates the return of meat on Fridays. There is another parade where children’s toys are thrown. (Now every niño in Murcia has a whistle…great.) People with torches dance around people dressed as fish: a little bizarre. There are also dancers with elaborate dresses and bands playing catchy tunes. All in all, the week was full of Spanish mayhem, but I must say they sure know how to party!

Good Friday processions

Easter dinner

Bando de la huerta outfits

Catching dinner