ESTEPONA

Thurs 5th April.
After our swim first thing in the morning we had spotted in a local paper an advert
for a English butcher so we went in the car and found the shop and an English
Supermarket and we bought a Leg of Lamb and some other goodies for Easter.
We then went for a coffee in the marina port and on the way back called into the
Mai-Tai bar for the "Happy Hour" where we discovered that there was later in the
evening a large celeb-party around the Laguna Beach ! So after an early dinner
of some beautifull Lamb Chops from the butchers we set off on the scooter for
the first time at night to check out the Semana Santa celebrations in town but on
the way we called into the Laguna Beach Bar,but did not manage to get into the
party as we did not have a invite!! We then parked in Estepona and found out
that the main" procesion" de Semana Santa did not reach the main square till
after one o'clock so we went to our local bar to warm up with coffee and brandy.
We managed to get seats at the front by the local VIP'S and waited for things
to start.The atmosphere is very intense and is also filled with" incense" !! As the
main part of the procession arrives it is followed by a brass band and is led by
the local brotherhood in their robes and hoods-please see the pictures below.
The Throne is carried by the men ,who are under neath and who are controlled by
calls and bells as they slow walk to the music, The parade is also accompanied
by the women in black shawls and mantillas,some of whom are bear-foot and
the whole parade is silient and is directed by the beating of the drums and the
main master of the brotherhood stamping his ceremonial rod.The Throne has
to stop every 30/40 yards so as the carriers can rest as they support it on their
necks and shoulders-they are also tightly bound around the waist by long
coloured bands to support their backs.See the pictures below ;