Dia de la cruz

This past Sunday, May 3rd, was Dia de la Cruz (day of the cross) which is a celebration throughout Andalucia. The biggest celebrations take place in Cordoba (where Mario was) and here in Granada. I asked several people what is celebrated on this day and no one could tell me...hehe...celebrate anyway I guess! Well, I do know that on this day in the plazas throughout Granada there is a large cross decorated with red carnations and then in front of the cross there are several items that represent Andalucia and the gitano culture. People dress up as gitanos (gypsies) and wear flamenco dresses as well and in the plazas people dance to Sevillanas which is a type of music that is only in Andalucia, but is somewhat similar to Flamenco music.

So Anna, my new roommate Brittany (For those who don't know, I have a new roommate just for the month of May, she's from Half Moon Bay, 23 years old, and is going to grad school in the fall and very nice) and I spent the whole day outside walking around the city looking at the different plazas. The children were the best part; they were so cute and I got some great pictures of some kids. Anyway, it was a good day and the streets were packed with people.

Oh, and Hermi's kids (my host mom's oldest daughter) were dressed up too. Sergio was wearing a male gitano outfit, which he looked adorable in, and the 3 month old baby was in a flamenco dress.....she is too cute!

Love, Celeste

P.S. Two of my friends have left Spain, which is a bummer. Now it's just Anna and me, but I'm looking forward to doing the last few things in Granada that I've been meaning to do and enjoy this last month. I can't wait to see all of you when I get back!!!!

Two adorable little girls dancing to the Sevillana music.
In the cathedral's plaza, they had a concert from 8-10pm. We ended up watching it for an hour and it was so much fun. We weren't able to sit down, but we were in the second row where everyone was standing so we saw everything. All the songs were about Granada.
I am in front of the cross in plaza Bib-Rambla
Sergio and Daniela in their gitano outfits! She was a little fussy because she was hot in the outfit.
At the city plaza, there was a platform in front of the cross where all the children could dance. You can see a few in this picture.
The concert again. I loved how colorful all the dresses were.
Anna in front of the cross in plaza Bib-Rambla
Men and boys, dressed up as gitanos, riding their horses through the streets of Granada. The city didn't smell so great on this day... :)