Reyes Magos

The reyes magos or wizard kings are the three wise men in the English version of the bible. In Latin countries we celebrate them on the 7th of January, which is their day. But the real event take place the nigh before, when children all over the (at least) Spanish speaking world leave their shoes outside on a window or balcony, (together with some water for the camels and drinks or biscuits for the kings). If the children behaved well during the previous year the kings would leave presents for them but, according to tradition, if the children behaved badly the kings would just leave some coal.
Here in Spain there also a big event called the cabalgata de los reyes or the kings' cavalcade, when there's a big parade when the kings with their entourage go around town and everybody get out to see them and cheer them. Some children take the opportunity to deliver their letters to the kings with their list of presents. This happens all over Spain, from huge parades in big city to small and humble events in small villages. In Barcelona the kings arrive by see, from Orient, and they step down their ship in the old port amid much expectation.

Here in Sabadell we have our own parade, of course, and it's a great one. Luckily they do it just around the corner from us. Along with the kings the parade has many other features that change from one a year to the next. In our local parade they have a sort of representation of the solar system with the star of Bethlehem starting the whole event. Lovely. In this picture you can see some of the planets.

Some local associations also take part of the parade and are a big part of the show as some people go there just to see and cheer their friends and family members. This year the local scooter association chose to dress their members in what I think is the most funny and politically incorrect dress ever. I think they're supposed to be some sort of Arabs or Palestinians, as the kings went from somewhere in the east to Israel to give baby Jesus their presents, but their headgear looked more like old tablecloths. Just hilarious as this one in the picture.

In the parade, the kings' entourage throw sweets to the crows and everybody scramble to collect as much as they can. Old people and young kids, everybody!! And the old people can elbow you out of the way as easily and eagerly as any small kid can throw you out of balance, plus the old folks had years of experience so they very fast!! It's war!

We went and took our Japanese guests with us, I don't know what they make of this but we had a great time and have enough sweets to last us at least until summer!!

At the very end of the parade goes a horse-cart carrying big black pieces of coal to remind children of the deal. As this goes by you can hear the kids taking their breath in and some whispered boos!

The next morning P found a nice Charlie Brown book on top of his shoes, a Catalan edition, which is great as he needs to read more in his third language in order to do well at school. Also he got a small bag of coal!!
I have to admit that it was me who put that as a joke and it was a kind of special sweet made of black sugar that he ate first thing in the morning and then spend the rest of the day in a state of sort of sugar and kings' induced high.