Semana Santa

Easter in Spain is a TAD different than Easter in the states.  Exhibit A:

Penitentes

Let me explain.  Easter or "Holy Week" lasts a week and is full of parades (processiones) that begin at various churches around the city and make their way through the streets of Granada.  Everyone and their mother line up on the streets and watch the processions go by.. they're actually very pretty!  The people you see dressed up above (I know what you're thinking...) are called Penitentes.  They are asking for penance for their sins, hence why their faces are covered - to give them privacy.  I thought these people would only be older but I definitely saw some kids dressed up like this also.

Above is the "float" .. clearly not called a float but I don't know exactly what to call them.  Each parade has a different statue and they're beautiful.  This one you see is of Mary and usually she is followed by a statue of Jesus.  The interesting thing is these "floats" are NOT motorized.  They're built on platforms and CARRIED by people.  Do you know how much those things weigh?  There has to be close to 20-30 guys below these floats walking with them.  They usually walk short distances and then take a break so everyone can look at the floats, then start up again.  These processions can last up to 7 hours each so they switch out a lot of the time also.

Unfortunately we were only able to go to 1 procession because when it rains they cancel them (since they don't want to damage the statues).  It rained LITERALLY everyday when we got home :( and it still isn't the greatest weather...  The week ended on Sunday with actual Easter Sunday when nothing happens - it's like a normal day for everyone, how ironic.