Corpus Christi Celebration in Salobreña

Corpus Christi is a Catholic holiday in celebrating the presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist   It is celebrated throughout Spain in either May or June, depending on when Easter occurs.  Today is also the day  the First Communion ceremonies are held for all of the 10 year old children.

All through the old town here in Salobreña decorated altars have been set up for the day, as well as balconies decorated in lace.

One of the Altars set up for the day on Calle Martin Recuerda

Balconies on Calle Real decorated with lace tablecloths

The newly Confirmed lead the procession through the streets.

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A little Three Kings Magic on my Birthday

What started out as a dry french bread dough  cake with a bean hidden in it has over the past 300 years evolved into a delicious danish type dough cake with sweet cream, caramelized sugar and dried fruit placed decoratively on top.  This year was my very first year to try it, not the last to be sure.. it really was delicious, and it made my birthday on the 9th extra special.

My Three Kings Birthday Cake

The booby prize, a dried haba beans

I actually got the prize, a porcelain Balthazar.

Wikipedia says:

The “king cake” takes its name from the biblical three kings. In Catholic liturgical tradition, the Solemnity of Epiphany – commemorated on January 6 – celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. The Eve of Epiphany (the night of January 5) is popularly known as Twelfth Night (the Twelve Days of Christmas are counted from Christmas Eve until this night). The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), up until Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday;” the day before the start of Lent. Some organizations or groups of friends may have “king cake parties” every week through the Carnival season. In Portugal and France, whoever gets the King cake trinket is expected to buy the next cake for these get-togethers

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Romeria 2014: The Horses

A few years ago there was some kind of incident on the beach involving horses, their riders and alcohol.  Following that the town hall decided to banish the horses from the mix.  They were given their own area away from the crowds and they were not allowed back for about 3 years.  Because of this, each year fewer and fewer riders bothered to bring their horses down and it really did have a profound affect on the overall atmosphere of the Romeria.  It’s a  different Romeria without horses.    After much pleading and promises, deals were made and the horses were allowed back into the mix.  I for one am happy, life has been brought back to the party.

           

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Romeria 2014 Sunday October 5th

It is that time of year again.  The Romeria or Pilgrimage that honors our Patron Saint Rosaria will take place this Sunday commencing at 11am.  For those already here, a program can be obtained from the tourist office, or a digital copy may be downloaded from the Tourism Salobreña Facebook page.

It is a large booklet, lots of information and photos.  The pertinent information regarding times and activities starts about about page 58, so keep scrolling if you have downloaded the pdf file.

 

The day will be loaded with traditional costumes, decorated wagons, horses doing dressage, lots of food and music.  Don’t miss the biggest party on the coast.  If you wish to see photos from previous years, check out the archives for Oct for any of the previous 7 years.

 

This photo was takin in 2009.

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Romeria Continued- Horses.

The horses are back!  The last 3 or 4 years,  horse and rider  were banned from the beach and the beach road during the Romeria due to safety concerns after a couple of minor incidents.  Happily, this year the ban was lifted, this is really good news  because when the ban was in place, the whole feel of the Romeria had changed, it just wasn’t the same.  A big Thank You to the Ayuntamiento for allowing the horses full participation again!

              

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Romeria 2013- All about the dress

Although there is always so much to see at the Romeria, the ladies really do take center stage with their beautiful colorful dresses.  Enjoy.

                    

                

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Fiesta del Carmen

I finally managed to get to the Fiesta del Carmen and get some photos.  Every year on the 16th of July, an effigy of the Virgin del Carmen is paraded through the streets of small fishing villages all along the coast.  A mass is said and then it’s off to the water front where the statue is then loaded onto a boat and then taken around the harbor.

Large crowds always show up to pay their respects, and the atmosphere is always quite festive.

Anyone with a boat shows up.

The sun is starting to disappear

The crowds line the shoreline

The religious custodians of the Virgin del Carmen

A trip through the streets after mass

Affectionately known as the Star of the Sea.

One of her bearers.

It’s a complicated business getting down to the sea.

You can almost feel the love.

Guardia Civil keeping an eye on things.

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