Castro Urdiales y la Pasión Viviente

On Thursday I had a delicious lunch made by my host mom :) it was authentic Spanish calamari, and we (my host mom, 2 host sisters, other American girl, and myself) all ate together and spoke mucho español. It was pretty great. My host mom also invited us all out to get churros that evening. I. Love. Churros. I knew I loved them in the states, but holy moly I love them even more in Spain...it's kind of sickening how often I crave them now - and what's worse is that there are shops and stands ALL over for me to purchase them at. It's a good thing I walk miles and miles every day around this city! If you go to a chocolateria or other kind of sweet shop you will find homemade, fresh churros like these (below), and you choose the type of hot chocolate you want to use to dip it in (spanish is thicker and dark, and french is lighter and has a similar consistency to hot chocolate in America).

I tried Spanish chocolate this time - it was amazing!

Me, Melissa (other American girl), and my host sisters Natalia, and Daniela

The next day I went and visited an absolutely breathtaking town called Castro Urdiales, which is famous (at least in northern Spain) for the live reenactment of the last supper, trial, punishment, crucifixion, death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The city is by the sea and the main stage of the reenactment is set at a church that was built in the 14th century. The reenactment is called Pasión Viviente, and it lasted from 10am until 3pm, and moved to several different stages throughout the city. We followed the procession and either stood and watched stagnant scenes or walked around the town following the story. It was a LONG day of walking - 5 hours solid, and many more after lunch and dinner, but it was such a cool cultural experience to be a part of. The reenactment was very serious and graphic - Peter hung himself from a tree...actually jumped from a tree with a noose around his neck (he had a hook attached at the back of his neck so he didn't actually die), Jesus was whipped (not with a cat of 9 tails, and not nearly as hard as the story goes, but still, repeatedly), and all 3 men being punished were hung on actual crosses. 

There was a pretty hilarious moment during the reenactment, though I don't think it was intended to be. Before Jesus is punished he is in a kingdom being taunted and called a false prophet by a King and Queen. In the reenactment they decided to have the king's gypsy women come out and do a dance. There is a lot of American music here, almost entirely actually, and they don't always understand the connotations of the song lyrics. That would explain why they decided to play Beyonce's "Who Run the World (Girls)" at a church built in the 14th century, where a reenactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus was taking place. It was hilarious and very ironic. 

After the reenactment we still had several hours until our bus back to Santander came, so we walked around the rainy city, got food, and went back to take a closer look at the beautiful church (Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción). 

Cliff overlooking the gorgeous ocean

Hector/Mauricio gettin his Spanish patata fix (also, that ketchup is hot as a mofo!)

Danielle, Jennifer, Hector/Mauricio, Margarita, and Oresta

La iglesia

This was my first adventure to another city since I got to Spain, and now I'm planning all of my others :) I am going to San Sebastian this Saturday-Sunday, which is a city in Northern Spain east of Santander with great history and beaches I'm told. Also, at the end of this month I'm flying to the south of Spain for 5 days with some friends to Málaga, then travelling to Sevilla, taking a ferry to Morocco, and maybe visiting Gibraltar! In May I'm looking into going to a Real Madrid game in Bilbao on the 2nd, and am flying to Madrid for the weekend May 17-20. I have so many fun adventures to look forward to! If at all possible I will be heading to Paris for a weekend coming up, and to Barcelona as well :) 

Os quiero a todos :) xo