Feelings of the Day: It's important to not immediately criticize or look down on a culture's traditions based on our upbringing. If another culture has been doing a thing for generations, and no harm is coming to others or themselves, then they should be able to continue it. One of the main features of travel, for me, is to see those cultural events and experience it. It's how we learn how other people live and engage with one another. It makes us learn about different communities and accept others who do things differently, as long as what they do is not cruel or unjust. It’s how we grow as people.
Full Day’s Events: After a casual start to the morning, we went for a long walk near Pozuel de Ariza inside the autonomous province of Aragon. Situated in deep green hills of long grass, for animals, and cut through with small red canyons rent with occasional rain. The views of nearby De La Reya castle and the distant tall plateaus were the perfect introduction to this pleasant countryside.
One of the surprises, along this walk, were seeing red stalks of what looked like red asparagus. They are not edible, though, as they are a type of orchid that has yet to grow its buds and flowers.
After the walk we were interested in a meal, so we journeyed a short way to the town of Monteagudo de las Vicarias and the restaurant of Saminhaan.
Unfortunately, the kitchen wasn’t open for another 45 minutes. Fortunately, there was a reservoir nearby that was also a wild bird sanctuary. We investigated and although there were not a lot of birds, at this semi-salty reservoir, it was pleasant.
We were thinking of moving on when we noticed that enough time passed that the kitchen was about to open. I was glad we did because it was delicious! Starting with refreshing zucchini soup, of generous proportions, and an interesting main that was two flank steaks, deep fried, with a filling of a nice cheese.
While driving back we slowed down when going through Nomparedes because of the multitude of cool metal art all throughout the town. By that I mean it was art made of metal and not heavy metal band album covers or art made by heavy metal bands. It was a little creepy that we never saw anyone actually in the town, but they could have been working elsewhere or just a little shy.
Returning to Almazan we relaxed, had supper, then went to the Plaza Mayor (main town square). The residents of Almazan, who were here awaiting the arrival of a procession, were greeting each other with warmth and kindness as it appeared some had been away or they just had not seen each other for some time. Most kids were interested in the procession, but immediately went back to playing with the other kids in the plaza once it was done.
Soon it was time for the procession of Saint Vera Cruz where the local brotherhood of Vera Cruz marched through Almazan to give penance for the sins of the past year. The other order in town lent additional musical assistance. This procession is one of the ones performed in Spain during Holy Week on the seven days leading up to Easter.
We had seen two processions like this one in Toledo two years ago, here and here. It was an interesting event with music and solemn walking while carrying a platform with a Christian religious figure. The robes and cone shaped hoods that many of the procession participants wear, is called a nazareno and is a sign of penance and anonymous humility. Although North Americans can be taken aback with this look, as it resembles robes worn by the KKK, this garb goes back to medieval times and were subverted by that racist organization.
It was a pleasant community event to witness. 10km and 30 flights walked.
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