This past Monday there was a national holiday in Spain. It did not really understand the explanations for why it was a holiday, but I think it was something to do with honoring the Patron saint of Spain, “Nuestra Señora del Pilar”. In Don Benito, the festival that took place was called “La Vela” (the candle) and it was to honor Don Benito’s patron saint, “La Señora de las Cruces” (the lady of the crosses). The statue of Señora de las cruces was brought in earlier in September and had stayed in the main church in Don Benito, Iglesia de Santiago. Sunday had a day of festivities and masses to celebrate the saint. In the afternoon children offered flowers. Then at night there was music and traditional dancing. The music and dancing was very Spanish, slightly reminiscent of Flamenco, but a completely separate thing.
On Monday, there was the pilgrimage. Whoever wants to do the pilgrimage meets in the Plaza at 8am and then the “camino” (the walk) began at like 8:20. My friends, who were supposed to meet me at 8, did not get there till 8:45... so we had some catching up to do. We hustled and it did not take us long at all to catch up with the group of peligrinos (pilgrims). This was mainly because a group of people have to carry the statue of the Señora de las Cruces, so naturally, they can not move that fast. Since it was fairly early in the morning it was not very hot yet, which made for a pleasant walk. The walk ends at the “ermita de las cruces” (chapel). It was about a 6-7 kilometer walk. The pace was pretty glacial because that Señora was moving so slow. We got there about 11:30, I think. Im not really sure. As soon as the statue gets there a mass begins. But none of us were really feeling the mass since it was starting to get hot and you had to stand in the sun for that. The sun here is pretty killer too. So we walked around and visited the different vendors, but we got drained pretty quickly, mainly because of the sun. So around 1:30 we decided we were going to get the bus back to Don Benito (there were buses running so people didnt have to walk back or make the pilgrimage at all– weak!)
We were not very prepared for our trip out there because we realized that everyone had brought picnic baskets and blankets to sit on and we had nothing. The food was way over priced, which is expected because it’s a festival, but we had no where to sit because we had no blanket, so we just decided to head back. We definitely felt dumb tho, because people were just arriving and were telling us the party was just starting, why would we leave?? Oh well. Next time we are in Don Benito for the festival, we will know what to do :)
Yesterday was my birthday. And it was a pretty nice day. I didn’t have to work, so I got to sleep-in and take it easy. I went to the city gym thing and signed up to take a step class. So, hopefully that will keep me in shape :)
Later that night I went out with my friends to a restaurant for dinner. The place was called El Museo because it is right next to the museum. We just got raciones (portions) of different things and all tried them. We ate patatas bravas (french fries with this spicy pink sauce), Croquetas de bacalao (little fried things with cod and cheese inside), berenjera con queso y beicon (eggplant with cheese and bacon), revuelto de setas y gambas (scrambled eggs with mushrooms and shrimp), and tonssss of pan (bread). They love their bread here The waiter accidently gave us a salad too. It was very interesting food overall, but I liked it mas o menos. My friends gave me some fun presents too. I got a hoola-hoop :)
Before I came to Spain I expected my birthday to be kind of non-existent because I didn’t think I would know anyone to celebrate it with, but luckily my friends here made it great!!
Oh, and my class sang happy birthday to me today. In English of course! :)
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