Some form of the Day of the Constitution is celebrated in most countries across the globe. I believe this day holds special significance for each nation, depending on their history. In Spain, it seems to be particularly impacting due to their highly tumultuous history. In 1975 General Franco, the nation’s dictator, finally died. What followed was a difficult period of transition as his heir went about reforming the country. On December 8, 1978, the Spanish Constitution was finalized and approved.
A great population of Spanish citizens remembers the oppression of their dictatorship, and they truly value the constitution and all it stands for. I’m not so sure that’s the case in the rest of the nations in this world.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (reserved to honor the Virgin Mary’s sinless existence and the conception of Jesus Christ) is celebrated throughout many Catholic populations in the world. Besides Spain, it is celebrated in Argentina, Austria, Chile, Italy, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Malta, and is recognized in many other nations.
But this blog is not intended to discuss the historical meaning and cultural impact of these holidays. It is meant to celebrate this fact: in the year 2008, these holidays straddled a Sunday, and I got a three day weekend.
Craig and I knew we wanted to take advantage of the break since we have had no time to travel thanks to our six-day-a-week schedule. Unfortunately this rigorous schedule left little time to plan our escape from Alcalá. This is how we ended up rushing to pack after class on Friday night, rushing to catch a train to Madrid, and rushing to board a bus to Sevilla.
Instead of sleeping like I should have been, I excitedly watched the thermometer at the head of the bus creep up from 5 degrees Celsius. Six degrees and six hours later, with plenty of time to catch the sunrise, we found ourselves walking along a foreign river, watching the youth emerge from bars and head home. Sevilla is beautiful. It is the Spain I have been missing! We allowed ourselves to act as tourists for the first time since arriving in this country, and it was fantastic. We waited in an hour long line to peruse the royal palace, sampled a few Sevillan specialties, took 230 photos, drank assorted types of sherry and freshly squeezed orange juice, ducked into the cathedral to gawk during mass, found a low-key flamenco show. Sevilla’s cardinal was in town to give mass and take part in the procession, so we got to see him close up and personally.
Unfortunately, it rained the entire weekend. Our feet stayed wet for days, and then Craig ended up sick with a stomach flu/food poisoning/some mysterious Sevillan tourist illness. But nothing could take away from the wonder of the weekend. It was AWESOME!
You think I'm kidding about taking 230 photos, don't you? I'm not. See my Picasa album for the goodies; the link is on the right.
2 comments:
The photos are wondrous to one who has never been. You two are gorgeous! The most shocking thing however, I actually gasped when my eyes went to the picture of Craig standing near a BIRD! Loveyoumissyoumeanit!
So Happy you chose Savilla - isn't it wonderous! You should have ridden the 'bullet train' back to Madrid - that is an experience also. I was there for a month, and really hated to leave. Try Portugal when you can...it is crazy, and so different from Spain..
yo mama's friend...
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