On Sunday afternoon as we were resting and researching for our next week of travel, we heard a band playing in the streets and decided to go investigate. As it turned out, the band was making a lap around the town to draw a crowd and then ended up at a small church where locals, tourists and even news crews complete with video and film cameras were waiting for something to apparently come out of the church. After waiting for about ten minutes the church doors opened and slowly, but surely a small procession of people came out followed by a float with a very young virgin saint depicted on it. The float was carried by children between the ages of five to fifteen by my estimation, and rested atop their heads as they methodically and ever so slightly swayed side to side while moving forward in rhythm with the band who had started playing again and was following the processional. We followed the ceremony for a little while all the while in wonder why there would be such fanfare and a seemingly worshipful ceremony on the Lord's day for someone other than the Lord. upon returning to the hostel, we were told that the ceremony was a practice for one of the many ceremonies held in Seville during their easter celebrations. We were also assured that on easter at least one of the many floats would actually have Jesus on it which was comforting since the purpose of easter in mind is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation to those who accept it.

3-14-07 Ceremony in Seville Update!
I found out from my friend Isaac, that the ceremony in Seville I had thought was honoring a virgin saint was actually honoring Jesus. The statue that looked like a little girl to me is actually supposed to resemble a vision of Jesus that was seen in Prague at some pint and is very celebrated. I may be relaying these wrong, so feel free (especially Isaac) to correct any mistakes. None the less I was grateful to find out that all the festivities were in honour of Jesus instead of a small girl saint as I had first believed.

Labels: Travel, World Tour