One Night in Spain

One night in Sevilla I was travelling with a couple fellow Americans. I often feel like I am twenty-something going on thirty-something and this night was no exception. My friends wanted to go out but I was still tired from the previous night's dancing until 5 am. Spain is great for nightlife...

So, I got a glass of wine at a cafe and read one of my dorky political science books. After I had been there an hour, the waitress came over and insisted I leave. I didn't understand. Nothing closes early in Spain. Had I done something offensive?

But, leave I did and as I walked out the cafe door I realized why the waitress wanted me to leave. Outside was a processional, with several men carrying a large statue of Jesus carrying a cross laid upon a bed of carnations. A woodwind quartet followed behind, and hundreds of people carried candles and roses walking behind them. I realized, as it was close to Easter, this was related to the holiday.

I followed the procession through town with hundreds of others. We walked by each church in the town; all the churches had their doors open and were lit with candles. Then we came to the main cathedral in town where the procession ended and the men carried the statue into the church. It was one of those perfect moments you witness unexpectedly that words cannot describe. I didn't have a camera with me, but if I did a simple picture would mean more than my writing.

The night was mythical to me. Not knowing the culture, language, or significance of the ceremony it was simply beautiful to watch. I was thankful I had not gone out that night, for what I saw staying in taught me more. And, belated thanks to the waitress who insisted I leave the cafe!