Cabalgata in Sahagún

Here in Spain, the Day of the Three Kings (January 6) is bigger for children than Christmas. On that day they get all their presents, not on Christmas Day. The eve of the Kings day is filled with anticipation here. All day long I was seeing children with bright, excited eyes on the streets with their parents. It is a big day of general celebration, brought to a close in the evening by the Cabalgata—the arrival of the Three Kings.

At about 7:30 a train arrives in the station here in Sahagún and the Three Kings are on it! They descend and climb aboard trailers pulled by farm tractors that have been highly decorated and are filled with local kids in costumes. The parade begins and spirals through the streets with the kids on the trailers throwing candy to the assembled masses. General excitement prevails. The Kings arrive at the town hall (just across from our apartment—how convenient) and hold court on a stage especially constructed for the occasion. More presents are distributed and everyone goes home happy to await the big bonanza of presents on the morning of the Día de los Reyes.

This year, for the first time in the history of Sahagún, the black king was really black (a local restauranteur), who played the part to the hilt. The king has always been a white guy in black face before. The black guy looked really happy to be included in this small town celebration and we were happy to see him there.

Transformational Travel

We have just launched our new Facebook site about transformational travel and our new series of books--"Powerful Places . . ." The first of the series is coming out this month and we look forward to discussions on the Facebook site.

Go to: http://www.facebook.com/ and type in "Powerful Places Guidebooks" into the search. Take a look at our site and join as a fan. We look forward to the conversations that will follow.

Christmas in Sahagún

We've had a quiet, but interesting Christmas here in Sahagún. There was snow until a few day ago and Christmas lights on the Plaza below. We spent Christmas afternoon and evening with our friends Rebekah and Paddy in the neighboring town. Here are a few photos of the Christmas season. Happy holidays everyone.

Julia Eladia Tovar Bango "Paca" (1927-2009)

Today we mourn the death of a woman who has been a central figure in our lives here in Spain. Paca took Elyn into her life twenty-eight years ago, when Elyn was in Spain working on her dissertation. She became Elyn's "Spanish Mom" and Paca referred to Elyn as her American daughter. Until recently, Paca was a vital and active 82-year-old. She walked daily out to the Virgin of the Bridge, a hermitage outside of town that she maintained. There she welcomed pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Those who have walked the Camino may remember her.

The photos attached were taken on April 25 of this year at the Romería de San Marcos (a festival at the hermitage.) Paca was in her form, dancing with her daughter Piedad and selling candles to be lit before the Virgin. That is the way she will always remain for us, a bright, friendly, and loving presence for us, her adopted American family.

Paca, RIP