La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
To be clear, the biceps flex in the top photo was caught by accident. He started talking to the boss guy in the orange vest just as I snapped. I’m not complaining, just explaining. If you don’t know what’s going on in these photos, check out yesterday’s post.
This is the first team of 35 costaleros as they did a practice run carrying nearly 30 concrete blocks to compensate for the weight missing from the unadorned paso. It did not look easy (as you’ll see in the video). Don’t miss the lift with the bounce. And remember, when they march in the actual procession they’ll be carrying a tall statue clad in flowing robes. Maybe more than one statue. There will be flowers and candles, and other adornments, all slightly tippy. Plus, the frame will be completely enclosed in heavy draperies, meaning they’ll be doing all this in the dark. Hence the tiny little steps and the regular commands from the leader. Plus the brass knocker to signal when to lift and when to put down.
We knew someone in Fuengirola who was a costalero a few times. It’s apparently an enormous honor. For me, it would have been a fascinating thing to participate in when I was in my 20s. Oh, except for the religion part. Yeah, that would have been a no.
We met Steve of Shadows and Light and his husband, Dave, for dinner last night. An absolute pleasure. We hope to see them again before they head off for more adventures tomorrow. We met Steve once before in London and not only is he as charming, kind, and interesting as he sounds in his blog, but Dave is all those things as well. We feel very lucky to have been honored with their visit from London. Steve and I somehow forgot to take any pictures, so they’re simply going to have to see us again before they leave tomorrow.
Para que quede claro, la flexión de bíceps en la foto superior fue captada por accidente. Empezó a hablar con el jefe del chaleco naranja justo cuando yo la fotografié. No me quejo, solo explico. Si no saben qué pasa en estas fotos, vean la publicación de ayer.
Este es el primer equipo de 35 costaleros, que hicieron una prueba cargando casí 30 bloques de concreto para compensar el peso que faltaba en el paso sin adornos. No parecía fácil (como verán en el video). No se pierdan el levantamiento con el rebote. Y recuerden, cuando marchen en la procesión, llevarán una estatua alta vestida con túnicas ondulantes. Quizás más de una estatua. Habrá flores, velas y otros adornos, todos ligeramente inclinados. Además, la estructura estará completamente cubierta por pesadas cortinas, lo que significa que harán todo esto en la oscuridad. De ahí los pasitos diminutos y las órdenes constantes del líder. Además, la aldaba de bronce para indicar cuándo levantar y cuándo bajar.
Conocimos a alguien en Fuengirola que fue costalero varias veces. Al parecer, es un gran honor. Para mí, habría sido fascinante participar cuando tenía veintitantos. Ah, excepto por la parte de la religión. Sí, eso habría sido un no.
Anoche cenamos con Steve de Shadows and Light y su marido, Dave. Fue un placer. Esperamos volver a verlos antes de que se vayan de aventuras mañana. Ya conocimos a Steve en Londres y no solo es tan encantador, amable e interesante como parece en su blog, sino que Dave también lo es. Nos sentimos muy afortunados de haber tenido el honor de contar con su visita desde Londres. Steve y yo olvidamos tomar fotos, así que tendrán que volver a vernos antes de irse mañana.
How nice to spend time with Steve and Dave! I can’t imagine taking all those little steps in the dark while carrying that load. Do you know how far they go?
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Some processions last for 12 hours, but the costalero teams regularly switch out. Seeing Steve and Dave again today was wonderful.
Fun to watch, probably not fun to do.
David:
It’s hard work, but the guys who do it seem to love it… and the beer they have after their shifts.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, honour and devotion. OR a perfect visual representation of slavery to religion, shuffling along in the pitch black while carrying an unimaginable load of oppression? Eye of the beholder, I guess.
Very well thought-out. My compliments…
Debra:
Ok, well that’s really what I meant. I just couldn’t find the right words. I’m fascinated by the spectacle and tend to get upset by what it all signifies. You spoke for many other readers!
This is amazing to see. How far do they walk, or creep, with this platform load? It’s also amazing what’s considered an honor! Boud
Boud:
Some processions last for 12 hours, but the costalero teams switch out regularly. I’m not sure how long they usually go, but they are covered in sweat when they come out from under and they immediately grab a beer.
What Debra said.
Jim:
Yeah, I agree!
I’m getting claustrophobic just looking at it, and then you add “in the dark” and I am all verklempt!
Bob:
I would think it would be frightening. Amazingly, I’ve never seen a pile-up.
Just imagine being one of the guys in the middle. Ugh. Mary
Mary:
I know! I’ve thought about that.
Yes. I do believe Debra summed it all up very nicely. But to each our own, right? I think they could monetize this whole thing by charging onlookers at the practice process. I mean…
The flexed bicep? Excellent and timely capture.
Ms. I-Do-Enjoy-A-Nice-Arm
Ms. I-Do-Enjoy-A-Nice-Arm:
I was happily surprised when I saw that photo after the fact. Charging onlookers is what would be done in the States. So, I guess it will reach here one of these days.
Whoa and wow. They’re bearing that weight on their shoulders? do they do that bounce when the statues are on board? I wonder if one has ever gone toppling.
Oh yeah, and I’m with Debra. So succinctly put.
ellen abbott:
Yes, that bounce is part of their specific routine. Everything is locked down, but it’s still takes everyone’s breath away.
I’m so happy you met up with Steve and Dave! How special!
Jennifer
Jennifer:
And again this morning. So wonderful!
Debra’s right! I’m only surprised that the costaleros aren’t women.
Tundra Bunny:
There are finally female costaleros, although they’re clearly not as common. Still, progress, is you can call it that.
I didn’t know there were guys under it as well as around it. Of course, I’d be tempted to pick out the hottest ones (like Mr Bicep), dress then in short leather loincloths, and yolk them to the front of the float. But I imagine the more pious in the crowd might object to that… but it would attract attention.
wickedhamster:
Some pasos are carried only around the sides. But the larger ones (most of them) require rows of people underneath. In Sevilla, as an example, the population during Semana Santa increases from 700+ thousand to nearly 2 million. Imagine if the costaleros wore loin cloths!
Fascinating to watch decked out in a procession, but I could never handle the close quarters and oppresiviness. I can show my devotion other ways.
There’d better be a photo from one of you tomorrow!
Kelly:
We remembered to take a photo! Mañana.
I can see how it would be a great honor, but at the same time it looks miserable. Can you imagine being in the center underneath that platform, in the dark and surrounded by shuffling bodies? No thank you! I too like Debra’s interpretation. Of course if we’d grown up with this tradition and seen our forebears do it before us we’d all feel differently, I suppose.
I’m eagerly awaiting a second opportunity for picture-taking! 🙂
Steve:
We miss you terribly. Hope all was well on the train! And, no, I can’t imagine being under there in the first place, but to be in the middle would be truly disconcerting.
“Can you imagine being in the center… in the dark and surrounded by shuffling bodies?” I ain’t touchin’ that line…
wickedhamster:
I remember some pasos in Fuengirola where the costaleros were very TIGHTLY packed one behind the other. I think I saw some smiling. https://movingwithmitchell.com/2024/07/18/not-carmen-miranda-no-carmen-miranda/
I, like Debra and many of your other readers, loathe religion, all it stands for, and all the harm it has done – yet the sheer spectacle of a parade like this (even just at the practice stage) is impressive… Jx
Jon:
We’re coming from the same place on this. Debra said it so well.
Rather watch than participate. That thing looks heavy!
Kirk:
The costaleros come out from below red-faced, soaked in sweat, with blistered hands, and necks and shoulders rubbed raw.
Right there with you – interesting to watch but nothing I would probably participate in. Too… “The Godfather II” for my taste. I’m also at an age where I can’t lift something overtly heavy without passing gas. I can only imaging multiplying that by… 30… and then adding the notion of an open flame near by.
“Oh! The HUMANITY! The Virgin Mary BURST in a massive fire ball!!”
Rade:
I hadn’t even thought about what it must smell like under there!