Everyone told me not to miss the week of Semana Santa in Seville but no-one elaborated on it & nor did I ask too many questions. The stamina & participation by the residents of this city can only be described as heaven sent when you see with your own eyes the relentless processions being staged simultaneously in at least three different parts of town. The afternoon heat does not seem to hamper anyone's enthusiasm as the crowds ebb & flow, constantly on the move so as not to miss any of the processions. Children as young as five years decked out in white flowing tunics with purple & gold capes together with their older brothers or sisters & adults dressed in either Klu Klux clan outfits of various colours, or in elaborate soldiers uniforms with gold braiding & helmets with feathers in their gold helmets. The latter play the drums & trumpets non stop for at least eight to ten hours. At least half the city is involved in this amazing parade which has as its' core, the devotion of the Catholic religion edifying the story of Easter. Different religious floats are carried every day to the music of these bands & they move at a snail's pace because of the choking crowds surrounding them.
Before the processions start, around 5.00pm, every outdoor restaurant & cafe is full to capacity from 2.00pm with families dressed in their finest. The young men all look as if they are getting married in their dark suits while their young girlfriends are wearing their newest purchases together with their hair coiffed & their makeup perfectly applied. This happens every day from the Sunday before Good Friday. However, today there was an added surprise, where most ladies of any age, wore simple black dresses accessorized by pearls, diamonds etc & their hair elegantly pulled off their faces so that the
mantilla
& black lace are shown off to their greatest advantage. The menfolk look so proud accompanying their women as they saunter along the narrow streets of Seville.
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