PeregrinaMom

Saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” during the holidays in Spain does not mean much … … It means to me since I spent so much time in the United States and in Mexico where “Ho! Ho! Ho!” meant Santa Claus and a tree surrounded with presents…..  and January 6th, the day of the 3 Wise men meant whatever other presents we did not get with Santa would be coming…. to make the list complete you know…..

Here in Spain, the big day for the children comes on January 5th/6th, LOS REYES, who bring in all the presents and goodies so awaited by the little ones.  There is a tradition here in Spain of the “Cabalgata de Reyes” …..a sort of parade and the excitement can be felt in the air!….  And smelled too!

There are horses, floats, lights, silly giggles……. coming from young and old alike….. and in between too.  The police department has patrols leading the ‘king’ to the start of the parade… goodness! lights, sirens, everything! They sure get the royal treatment, as it should be…. for they bring joy with them for all who gather to be a part of it.

I find it fascinating how everyone gets caught up in the high of the event……. some one way and some another….. but yet there are similarities…….

The kings arrive all in costume, with robes, loose pants and everything….. In the time I have been lucky enough to see the Cabalgata de Reyes, I have noticed the Reyes are never fat, they are always skinny.

………….. There is a number of young people whose daily dress code is similar to the one of the Reyes…. i.e. The loose pants and being skinny like them….

The Reyes, are that…… The Kings!…… at least for the day……and plenty of the younger generation, feel like kings themselves…. and like the kings…… they are riding high……..

The Reyes, once on their ‘float’ go about sharing their ‘HI” to all who gather near them…….. the younger generation go about getting  ”HIGH” all who are near them …….. both have one thing in common…… the cloud…… of excitement.

Personally, I like the “HI” rather than the “HIGH”……. I find the ‘aroma’ to be more like a ’stench’ …… but in the end, both, the younger generation as well as the men portraying the beloved roles feel like “KINGS” if for a few hours…..

Some in the older generation  ’love’ the holiday and others ‘put up with it’  with grace for the benefit of the younger ones knowing there will come a day when it will no longer be….. From where I have experienced this ‘holy’day, the same holds true……

…………… It can be received with a “HIGH” or a “HI”……… I think I will keep the “HI”

Peace and all good.