Rain, Rain!

The hazy skies and light rain are gone. Cherished rainfall has come . . . and continues on and on. While Spain so desperately needs this plentiful rain, it puts hardships on fun and festivities especially this week. Everyone is sad that the Holy Week festivities were canceled. Most of the parade processions were scheduled to begin about 3, 4, or 6 pm and most continue until well-past midnight each day. On the one day that seemed to hold the best prospects for good weather we made the trip to the parade starting point in Malaga only to find out the day’s procession was cancelled again. Sad!!! It wasn’t raining the moment we arrived, but threatening clouds were gathering. The weather forecast assured the brotherhood that rain was certain to begin later in the evening. Since the parades cannot turn around and return home mid-ways, the chance for rain anytime between start time (Salida) and end time (Encierro) will cancel the procession. Once the cancellation announcement was made, several of the men and boys of the brotherhood (the people of each church who wear elaborate costumes and carry the float as pentinence for their sins) who practiced all year long to carry the float began sobbing, their faces red and mouths downturned. Their friends and family wept as well. 

Well, there, we go again, missing some of the very best traditional events in a foreign country. Just as we barely missed the Tour de France in 2022, and just as we will miss other famous events like Running of the Bulls in July, and the great tomato fight, La Tomatina in August , we now can add missing the elaborate Holy Week processionals in Malaga. But we have one last chance; we have tickets to the Corrida Picassiano bullfight on Saturday night – I know, it is a bullfight . . . but it is a Holy Week event, and it is a pure Spanish tradition! Wouldn’t you know, a downpour is expected agaain that night. 

What have we done in this 10-day stretch of rain? We certainly haven’t been able to get our usual 5-mile walk done each day, but we have been diligent in exercising at home. We’ve also managed to see the city between rain drops and work online planning for the future!!  

In one of our walks through the city we visited the Malaga Bull Ring, Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta, where we learned about the special Holy Week corrida and bought our tickets—the cheap seat variety since we are not true bullfight fans. There, and quite by accident, we also found an amazing photo exhibition of Magnum Contact Sheets. Hung along the circular corridor surrounding the bull ring were glossy photos and contact sheets from famous Magnum Agency photojournalists from around the world documenting the past century. There were amazing black and whites of MLK, the Dalai Lama, Margaret Thatcher, the Beatles, Fidel Castro, Malcolm X, photos of Japanese mafia kingpins, girls of the infamous Mexican Border Boy’s Town and so much more. I hope to return to study these great photos once again and snap more shots to share here.  

In almost any trip to the city we stroll through at the Central Market. Actually, I do the strolling; Stan just wants out of there. It is crowded and loud. The fish section is intriguing but also a little stinky. The cheeses and olives are stupendous. The beautifully displayed produce in the vendor booths there are eyepopping. I could walk through this market every day and not grow tired of the sights. Plus, there are free, clean restrooms there! 

On days we stayed home, we made online plans for more sunny days. This planning takes an enormous bit of time, but we now have several hikes and day trips planned for the next few weeks plus a 4-day getaway to Palma, Majorca, and a week-long trip to Amsterdam and Barcelona. We are going for no other reason but to see the tulips and then refresh our memories of Barcelona. The best part of this Amsterdam/Barcelona trip is that our friend Valerie is joining us. She planned to visit us here in Spain but when we three learned that we all wanted to see Netherland’s tulips and to visit Barcelona while here in Spain, we adjusted our plans to do it all together. We now have tickets for travel, accommodations, and excursions. Rain or shine in both spots, this is going to happen. 

Easter Sunday will be wet as well. The weather kept us inside for days but finally, a visit to the supermarket, a quarter mile from us, was badly needed. During Holy Week, all stores in Spain close at 3 pm on Maundy Thursday and are closed all day on Good Friday and Easter. Having avoided getting out in the rain earlier in the week, our only opportunity for stocking up was Saturday. After waiting out pouring rain and wind until late afternoon, we finally layered-up in jackets, and rain gear and walked to the store in the monsoon. We had no choice; we walked in raincoats topped with slickers, faces down to keep the cold wind and rain out. We must have been a sight! We got our stuff and are now prepared to hole-up with Netflix and NCAA games until the rain finally subsides. This was just another adventure added to our collection of stories no one else would dare set out to do. 

One last note. The Holy Week bullfight on Saturday evening was canceled. Just as on days before, great torrents fell all day on Saturday and continued through the night. No bullfight.  

Finally, on this Easter morning, we are grateful for Christ’s glory, and we wish everyone a blessed day. 

P.S. It is still raining. 

Rain and more rain!