Semana Santa y Santa Faz

One thing you come to learn about Spain as an American living abroad, is that there is seemingly a holiday every single day. Half the time you will not know in advance and you will just casually pass a parade or something. Do not be alarmed, it is normal. This all comes to extreme heights at the end of March with the start of Semana Santa or Holy Week. These days of celebration are those that begin on Palm Sunday and last up until Easter Sunday. Each night there are processions through the streets. These processions last many hours and the same people walk the same path around the barrio tirelessly. The Rambla is cut off to traffic and seats are placed all around. Some of the people proceeding wear robes and hats, some hold palms, candles, etc and one group of about 22 men hold a large statue of either Jesus Christ or the Virgen Mary. As an American, at first seeing the parades is a little odd, especially the clothing. However, after watching the processions and learning from the people on the streets, it is incredible to watch the commitment and reverence for these events. I was able to watch 3 processions on three separate nights. They all were very incredible, but all very similar. I really respected the respect toward their religion and Jesus Christ and the Virgen Mary as they proceeded through the streets. It was a very interesting cultural experience. 

Immediately following Semana Santa I set off for spring break (but thats a different story). What better thing to welcome me back home to Alicante though than, yes, you guessed it, another holiday. This one was a little different as I was an active participant. This holiday was called Santa Faz. For this day, the people who want to, wake up bright and early (my host mom and I left at 7am) and walk over to the main church in Alicante's barrio. There we grab walking sticks and start our trek. We walked about 7 kilometers (a little over 4 miles) to the pueblo Santa Faz where there is a church and street vendors. Some people, those who feel the need to repent something, do the walk barefooted. Many at this point in time wear sneakers but enter the church to pray and repent and give thanks when they arrive in Santa Faz. 

I felt very lucky to be able to do the walk with my host mom, practicing my Spanish and learning along the way. While we walked, I noticed many young people pushing shopping carts on their walk. It turns out, over the years the holiday has become a little more about partying for the young people of Alicante than about anything else. Almost every group of teens had a shopping cart decorated and filled with booze and food and their personal belongings. Luckily for me, I did the walk in the early morning with my host mom and was able to see the way the holiday was practiced more traditionally in Alicante. Afterward, I walked down the Playa San Juan, where they youth had congregated, and met up with my host sister Maria. There, I was able to experience the different side of life of this holiday, and see how the typical teenage Alicantinos spend Santa Faz. It was definitely interesting to see the contrast and experience the day as a whole. I would highly recommend participating in any and all events and holidays in your host city as possible. It is definitely where you learn the most, and feel the most a part of your city!