The history of the Festival

I am not quite sure if my readers know the history of the festival that took place this past week.

The Virgin of Pilar is the female patron Saint of Spain and therefore is an extremely important part of Spanish but specifically Zaragoza's culture.  The basilica is visited by many pilgrims every year and they go to kiss the exposed part of the marble pillar that St. James saw.  The feast day is October 12 and it also coincides with Columbus day for Americans but Dia de la Hispanidad for all Hispanic people.  As a result all Hispanic Catholics celebrate the Virgin.  The celebration starts before the 12th but the 12th is the most important day because that is when the offering takes place.  People from many cultures and backgrounds bring an offering of flowers to the Virgin.  La ofrenda starts very early in the morning and lasts all day because the skirt made of flowers is enormous.  While it is mostly a celebration of Aragonese history and culture there are many types of dancing and music on display for all to see and participate during the 9 days.

It was a great time and then this morning when I got up I looked out and they were tearing it all down.  It was a bit depressing to see but it will be there next year.

Los Pilares w/ Pics and Vids

Jota

Raul and Vanesa at the vaquillas in Torrellas

Cool picture

The town hall last Saturday night with light show

The plaza during a concert

So many people

Nice picture till Vanesa ruined it, jaja.

At the carnival there was a ride that was from the "typical Spanish movie" Torrente I saw last year

La ofrenda

La ofrenda

Adding the flowers

People dress in the typical regional dress to bring flowers

La ofrenda

People waiting

La plaza

Completed

Los Pilares

This is just a quick update....

The festival ends this Sunday and it has been a lot of fun but also a lot of noise.  I have had a headache almost everyday because I am not getting much sleep.  I will post pictures and video next time.

Pedrola week 1

This was my first week back to work.  I started on Tuesday since my schedule gives me Mondays off, yay!  I work the mornings the other 4 days and have private lessons in the afternoons and evenings.  Everyone at my new schools are very nice.  I was nervous about being back in a grade school and high school but, so far so good.  Most of the kids are enthusiastic and the older ones are semi-enthusiastic.  My schedule is 3 weeks long and it rotates so that I am able to see almost all the levels.  These first weeks are just me introducing myself and then them asking me questions.  Sometimes I get crazy questions like "what do I think about the economic depression in the US?" to the more common "do you like Spain?"  They have been some funny classes and it is very easy for me.  I thought travel back and forth to the school would be an issue because this town has hardly any transportation options.  There are only 2 buses a day that leave from Zaragoza and the first one leaves at 1 in the afternoon, and since school is done at 2:30 not an option.  I am able to be in a carpool since about 50 teachers live in Zaragoza.  Tonight is the start of the huge festival in Zaragoza, it lasts for 10 days.  I took pictures last year and I will take pictures this year as well.  Last year the main concerts were split between the square and calle Independencia but this year they will all be held on the square due to the tram construction.  I am glad to be so close to the events but at the same time I know it will be difficult to sleep due to the noise!