Off to the Fatherland

Happy Easter!
I realize that sounds a little strange since Easter is not for another 9 days, but here the celebration of Semana Santa begins today. Semana Santa is Holy Week, technically starting Palm Sunday, but why wait (and contrary to popular opinion, “Santa” means “Holy” in Spanish so there is no connection whatsoever with Santa Clause). Therefore, things are starting to get really crazy here. They are cutting off the entire center section of town, and I’ve heard the buses are planning to go on strike for the holiday, so it is becoming impossible to get anywhere. In fact, one of my friends taught me a verb “callejear” that means “to have to take many different roads to get to your destination,” i.e. you can’t get there from here. But aside from that, it is kind of exciting to be here while everyone is preparing for Semana Santa, even though I’m not Catholic.

I’ve had several different Spanish girls and professors explain Semana Santa to me. During the whole week, there are tons of processions, or pasos, that go through the streets. Men carry huge float things with either the Virgin or Christ on the cross through the streets, accompanied by people wearing white and pointy hats that cover everything but their eyes (kind of resembling the KKK). Other people sing and carry candles. I haven’t actually seen any of this yet, but last night I decided to go to a church after class to see them putting together the pasos. They are beautiful! These looked very baroque, with intricate gold and silver work and beautiful cloth covering the virgin. One of my friends got me a booklet that lists all the pasos on each day, so as soon as I get back I’ll take to the streets to try and see at least one.

Yes, get back. I decided to take advantage of my week off school and skip the country again. And I am SO excited!!! I’ve been counting down the days for the past 6 weeks. I’m going to visit my friend Leslie Kidd and her family in Mannheim, Germany for a week. She’s one of my good friends but I haven’t seen her since June since we keep going off to live in different countries. (Side note: I have no clue how to say Frankfurt or Mannheim in Spanish, so I have confused a ton of people recently when they’ve asked me what cities I’m going to). So I’ll leave tomorrow at 5:30 in the morning, and meet Leslie in Madrid to fly to Germany together. I’ll get back here in time to see the end of Semana Santa.

The break is coming at a good time, too. I’m exhausted from school, exams, and work this week so I could really use a break. Actually, the highlight of this week was when I saw a hot guy smash his whole body in the door trying to enter like he was cool. I can’t think of a way to make that sound nicer on my part, but trust me, after 4 hours of sleep and an exam consisting of 6 essays, it was funny. Well, I have to go pack. Love y’all lots!