I haven’t posted parade pictures since Wednesday. We were long overdue. So, last night as we sat at home eating dinner around 10:30 we heard the familiar sound of a marching band. I of course grabbed my camera and ran downstairs. There was a band already beneath our windows and I could see a kind of disheveled, gap-filled procession trailing far behind with the shimmering glow of a paso in the distance.
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| FOR THESE TWO, DRUMMING WAS SERIOUS BUSINESS — IF PERHAPS A LITTLE BORING. |
As the band passed, I noted a much more informal air, as if no one was really in charge. Two horn players were smoking, instead of playing, as they dragged themselves along. Every so often another horn player would do his own jazzy little riff that was clearly not part of the marching music.
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| “THIS THING IS HEAVER THAN I THOUGHT.” |
After one major gap, I realized this procession was mostly children. And the adults weren’t having an easy time keeping them moving. The kids carrying the tall candles thought it was great fun to drip wax into their hands and play with it as they walked in all directions but forward. Some kids were seeing how close they could get their fingers to the flame. Everyone was in good spirits. The adults seemed to resign themselves to a disorderly ramble through the streets.
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| THE PARADE GOT A BIT OUT OF CONTROL. “HOT WAX IS SO COOL.” |
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| STILL TRYING, IN VAIN, TO GET THE KIDS ORGANIZED. |
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| A COSTALERO OF THE FUTURE. HE AND HIS PAL SAW MY CAMERA AND STOPPED TO POSE. |
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| THE INCENSE CARRIERS, ENGROSSED IN MAKING SMOKE. |
Behind the beautiful paso of the Madonna and Child was a second marching band, composed mostly of teens and young adults. They were surprisingly good and played less traditional marching music. They were also a joyous and friendly bunch who kept stopping to pose for my camera.
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| THE EXQUISITE PASO. |
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| THE HAPPY HORNS SECTION. |
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Author: Moving with Mitchell
From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..
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Happy horns, indeed. What are you going to do when there isn't a parade? Oh, wait. Maybe that's not a problem in Sevilla. 😉
Heh heh heh 🙂
Walt the Fourth:
Yeah, I don't think I'll worry about that just yet.
Little did they know they'd end up on an American's blog, for all posterity! They ought to pay you for archiving "This year in Sevilla" 🙂
Judith:
I have calling cards with my blog address on them, but I didn't grab my wallet when I ran downstairs. It would have been fun to give them the address so they could check out their "famous" selves.
The parades and celebrations never end, do they? And to think that the natives have had to "put up" with this for generations!
Ms. Sparrow:
Yes, the poor Sevillanos… 🙂
Great parade coverage!
suze304:
Thanks! I get the opportunity to practice often!
'Learning the ropes'! Interesting as each age group passes an obvious 'order' was seen. Their parents undoubtedly went through the same process.
The Paso is very ornate and beautiful.
Nice job, yet again, Mitchell!
Thanks as always, Jim!
Hi Mitchell, Alex and Melissa Cserhat turned me on to your website. I have lived in Seville for 7 years and love the way you capture the flavor in your photos and commentaries. Great to find fellow expats who enjoy the city the way I do.
Oh, Karen, thanks so much for your visit. Melissa and Alex also told me about you (AND YOUR NEW BOOK) and I was just absorbed in reading your blog for the first time last night. So much to catch up on. What a joy!
Undoubtedly the happiest-looking paradees you have photographed so far! Great photos too!
The Owl Wood:
Thanks so much. It makes me smile just looking back at their faces now. It wasn't easy getting photos in challenging light with constantly moving targets!
Never a happier time than a parade in Spain it would seem by these photos. I love all the joy being shared.
the cuby poet:
Yes, this parade was especially happy… despite the fact that unlike the Day of the Kings at Christmastime, no candies were being thrown.