stewartwillsher
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Those who know about Reyes, or find my WAFFLES an imposition, leave now.
For those interested, I'll give a brief (is that possible, with me?) description of the festival of the three kings.
It is called "Reyes", which literally means "Kings" and is celebrating the supposed visit by the three kings to the nativity.
So it is a celebration mainly in Latin/Catholic countries, like Spain, where Los Magos (the wise men) turned up with presents (remember gold, frankincense and myrrh) for BJ (baby Jesus) and now gifts for every kid.
Until quite recently, the kids had little interest in the days of Christmas.
Christmas Eve is the family get-together and feast, but Reyes is when the presents get handed out.
Only in the past couple of decades has "Santa" been the focus of kids' attention.
Instead of a carrot and a sherry put out for Santa and his reindeer, a bucket of water and some treats have been left out for the kings and their camels.
When we moved to Spain a decade and a half ago nearly, there was little evidence in our rural community of Xmas decoration or gifts for Christmas.
So, on the 5th Jan the littl'ns get a chance to write a note to the kings (just like for Santa) and there is a fiesta with a sort of mini-carnaval.
On the 6th, lo and behold they have left many of the requested items at the homes of same sprogs.
The three kings represent the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, being Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar and each having a traditional representation of clothing, hair, etc.
Recent PC sillyness has made it bad form for someone blacking up for Baltasar, so someone with a tan is chosen, in the thousands of interpretations in villages and towns all over Spain when a cabalgata (procession) with floats and the three kings chuck sweets for the children to collect and scoff.
Our town hall, like most across Spain, support the event with food and drink for all, and have thrones for the kings (played by disguised locals) to be attacked by nippers wanting the latest desirable junk, on their wish list.
And it is a good excuse (as if one were ever needed) to quaff a bevvy or a few!
We also watch the usually impressive cabalgata in Madrid, on TV.
For those interested, I'll give a brief (is that possible, with me?) description of the festival of the three kings.
It is called "Reyes", which literally means "Kings" and is celebrating the supposed visit by the three kings to the nativity.
So it is a celebration mainly in Latin/Catholic countries, like Spain, where Los Magos (the wise men) turned up with presents (remember gold, frankincense and myrrh) for BJ (baby Jesus) and now gifts for every kid.
Until quite recently, the kids had little interest in the days of Christmas.
Christmas Eve is the family get-together and feast, but Reyes is when the presents get handed out.
Only in the past couple of decades has "Santa" been the focus of kids' attention.
Instead of a carrot and a sherry put out for Santa and his reindeer, a bucket of water and some treats have been left out for the kings and their camels.
When we moved to Spain a decade and a half ago nearly, there was little evidence in our rural community of Xmas decoration or gifts for Christmas.
So, on the 5th Jan the littl'ns get a chance to write a note to the kings (just like for Santa) and there is a fiesta with a sort of mini-carnaval.
On the 6th, lo and behold they have left many of the requested items at the homes of same sprogs.
The three kings represent the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, being Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar and each having a traditional representation of clothing, hair, etc.
Recent PC sillyness has made it bad form for someone blacking up for Baltasar, so someone with a tan is chosen, in the thousands of interpretations in villages and towns all over Spain when a cabalgata (procession) with floats and the three kings chuck sweets for the children to collect and scoff.
Our town hall, like most across Spain, support the event with food and drink for all, and have thrones for the kings (played by disguised locals) to be attacked by nippers wanting the latest desirable junk, on their wish list.
And it is a good excuse (as if one were ever needed) to quaff a bevvy or a few!
We also watch the usually impressive cabalgata in Madrid, on TV.