Semana Santa

We spent the morning preparing for events next week. We also had workmen in for several hours doing some repairs around the house in anticipation of the arrival of visitors. But this being Good Friday, we took a "preparation afternoon" to go downtown and watch the Good Friday procession.

The city has been pretty much deserted this week as everyone leaves for country or the beach - there is virtually no traffic and you can actually find parking spaces. But there were large crowds downtown - about half of them tourists and the other half elderly Spaniards who had come to see the Good Friday procession.

The top of Las Ramblas on Good Friday

After enjoying tapas at a small cafe on Las Ramblas, we made our way to the parade route where the Good Friday procession moves slowly to the Cathedral. It was quite an event, led by two riders on white horses.

Follow the horse guard came the penitent wearing black robes and conical hats. Some were making the pilgrimage barefoot, others wore high heels.

Then came an elaborate platform decorated with gold-leaf and fresh flowers. Leading this float was a pipe-band. Who knew they had bagpipes in Barcelona?

The main event, however, was the final float with an image of the Virgin Mary. It was an elaborate float with a hundred lit candles and fresh white flowers, and was met by applause as it passed the onlookers.

We were glad that our Easter celebration will be General Conference!