Parking lot shot

This is actually taken from a grocery store parking lot in Benalmádena. It's quite something isn't it?

It's the day of Los Reyes Magos de Oriente or perhaps la noche de Reyes Magos as the festivities start today.

"Known in the Anglophone world as the Epiphany, the arrival of the Three Kings is defined in Spain by the enormous expectation and the tremendous annual celebrations that revolve around the event. Festivities officially start the evening before Epiphany, on the night of January 5, when the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings' Parade) takes place in every town and city, with hundreds upon hundreds of people crowding the main roads of the urban settlements in order to get a glimpse of the reenactment of the arrival of the Three Kings into town.

Typically, people will be strolling down the roads, trickling into the major avenues or squares of the cities with ladders on their hands, ready to climb on the second or third row of people, hoping to come out with a bagful of candies and one or the other gift. Because in Spain, it is not the Baby Jesus, Santa Claus or St. Nicholas who brings gifts on Christmas Day, but rather the Three Kings, whose generosity is put to the test on January 6, the day of the Epiphany. Children, families, and entire cities throughout the country celebrate this major Spanish Christmas tradition.

With festive lights livening up the streets, Nativity scenes set up in various locations, and holiday tunes setting the holiday atmosphere, Spaniards celebrate the arrival of the Kings with a joyful parade called the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos. The kings ride upon horses or elaborate floats and throw goodies down to the children lining the streets. This is also traditionally the big opportunity for children to ask the Kings for presents.

That evening, before an early night in bed, children leave out their shoes in a spot where the Kings are sure to see them. The religious monarchs, just like Santa Claus, certainly love their sweets, so Spanish children often set out goodies to entice the Kings as well as hay to feed their camels. When morning arrives, children delightedly discover that the Kings nibbled the sweets, the camels ate the hay, and by their shoes there are wrapped presents just waiting to be torn into. The magical night comes to a close with another Spanish Christmas tradition: a typical breakfast of Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake decorated with fruits symbolizing the precious gems that adorned the royal trio's lavish clothing.

This celebration itself stems from the New Testament where it is stated that the kings, Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthasar, traveled by night all the way from the farthest confines of the Earth to bring gifts to Jesus, whom they recognized as the Son of God. As well as regal, the Three Kings are depicted as wise men, whose very wisdom is proved by their acknowledgement of Christ's divine status. Arrived from three different directions, the kings followed the light provided by the star of Bethlehem, which reportedly lingered over the manger where the Virgin Mary gave birth for many days.

In 1885, the Spanish government called for a parade to mark the very special holiday. While the traditional scriptures tell of gifts of myrrh and gold and incense, these days the Kings are more prone to bringing candies and more practical gifts. It remains, however, a beloved tradition and also the longest standing parade in Spain." 
from: http://www.enforex.com/culture/reyes-magos.html



Well... we tried to get to see the kings, but then it started to drizzle and as we are not so used to rain (anymore) we turned back. I saw footage on internet and there were loads of people, so perhaps it's best we didn't go there with the dogs. Oh, and the reyes arrived to Fuengirola in style- with helicopter like the superstars they are.

I learn new words everyday.
The words I've learned today:
new meaning for nubos (clouds - knew that) is when it's combined with
nubos dulches, it's marshmallows! (going to the grocery store pays off :-D  )
higos secos is dried figs. I bought 300 grams for only 1,29€. That's a steal! And they are so delicious!
Seco is dried, fresco is fresh.


¡Buenas noches a todos y Feliz Reyes Magos!