Friday Smiles 2025 # Week 2

As you probably expect, my post this week is mainly about the Three Kings celebration in our village. It looked as though it might be a cold damp one but in the end it wasn't too bad. 

I always say these fiestas are the same every year as the Spanish are a people of tradition, but this year things were a little different. On the fourth we ventured across to the main carpark in the evening, where they had set up two rows of trestle tables for the "Roscon Gigantico". This has usually been down a side street at the top of the village, but the carpark was a much better idea. I managed to get near the front of the queue this year, (more by accident than design as no-one was sure which way to go!) and soon I was handed my generous slice of roscon and a cup of hot chocolate which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Three Kings were sitting on the stage in the marquee, and children could go up and either speak to them or post a letter of requests in a post box there.

The next night we went across again for the arrival of the Kings. This time I went up to the Town Hall where the procession starts, and there we were entertained by a dancer and drummer. 

Then the float appeared - a much smarter one than we have had other years. All three kings were on it with their assistants, and as they slowly passed through the village they showered the crowd with jelly sweets (wrapped!). We were all ducking to avoid them as they were coming thick and fast. Then we all helped the children gather them up and some had carrier bags full.

At the main carpark the kings alighted and went into the marquee to distribute any gifts left for children at the Town Hall earlier in the week.

The 6th, which is the main fiesta day, started off very dull and cold but a lot of folk still turned out to watch the pageant. This has been identical every year since we came here, but this year there were a lot of extra elements. It started with Mary and Joseph coming down to the main plaza with a real donkey. They stopped at a house to ask for room, and passed a tableau of shepherds and an angel. At the plaza they sat on bales of hay and suddenly they also had a real baby! After the usual arrival of the kings at Herod's palace, they were sent away and eventually came to the 'stable' to present their gifts to the baby. It made it much more complete than on previous years.

Here ate two simple collages, one of Mary and Joseph, and one of the Kings and Herod's palace.

By now the sun was out and although the wind had a bite, it was pleasant enough walking around.

All around the plaza there were the usual Medieval market stalls, mostly selling items like honey, tea and coffee beans, and olive oil, plus a few hand crafted items and a lot of 'cheap toys' which the children love. I bought a jacket which reminded me of ones my sons have worn for many years. It is a bit stiff but I know it will soon soften.

As well as the market stall, on the plaza and surrounding areas, there were examples of earlier crafts, such as a forge, basket weaving, stone sculpture etc. There were also several simple games that the children were enjoying, all made from wood. (Connect four, draughts, puzzles, air hockey without the air, etc). In one corner there was a giant bowl of migas being cooked but this year you had to 'buy a bowl' to be able to have some. Although we are used to free food at the fiestas, a lot of people were prepared to pay for it. We didn't because we don't like migas.

I had some mulled wine to warm me up, and then we went to a local bar for tapas. Before we went home we sat in the Arabian tent and had delicious sweet, mint tea in a pretty glass that we were told we could keep.

On the way home I ws drawn to the tent making mojitos - my usual fiesta treat so we both queued up for one to take home with us and it was lovely. While we queued we were entertained with another (probably the same) dancer and drummer and then a brass band appeared.

In the end what seemed like it would be a rather disappointing day, was in fact a very nice one.

During the week we were in Mojacar and we stopped in a side street for a quick pop into Consum supermarket. As I got out of the car I saw this palm tree. It was outside a shop that looked as though I might find it interesting! Unfortunately we did not have time to stop and investigate that day, but I shall be going back when I have more time.

I have had a bit of time down here with my computer, so I managed to get my one-page calendar made. I print this out A3 size and have it on the wall by my computer where it is very useful when the boys ring me with dates, or I am trying to make appointments. Chris has a copy on his office wall too. I like to make them interesting so this year I made a collage of everyone in our immediate family. I like to look up and see all their smiling faces.

And of course I must end with some skies. It was on the evening after the Three kings that I spotted this sunset. As well as having a vivid letter 'Z' in them, there were impressive layers of colour, and as the sun finally disappeared there were some little grey fluffy clouds drifting across (and of course I can see a face in that one!)

And with that I will close and link upwith Annie's Friday Smiles in the morning.