Monday 12 April 2010

Dia de Quasimodo

Today was Quasimodo Day, a special day unique to Olvera and its lovely people.

It celebrates the day in 1715 when after prayers and religious ceremonies and festivities dedicated to the Virgin de los Remedios, patron of Olvera, the rains came to end a prolonged drought that had devastated crops and livestock in the area.

Ever since then, on the second Monday after Easter Sunday, the Olvereños head out to the countryside near to the Sanctuario Nuestra Señora de los Remedios to enjoy a day of parties and fun with family and friends.

The day started for us at about 9.30am when under warm but slightly overcast skies we headed down town to watch the procession of horseriders and decorated floats slowly head out to the campo.

Our friend Léo.



Many of the ladies were dressed in traditional costume.

















We counted twenty two floats altogether, all imaginatively decorated.











































































A happy bunch of guys and gals enjoying themselves and as always, happy to smile at the camera.




Girl power, bringing up the rear of the procession.

















We didn't follow the cavalcade throughout its two kilometre route to the Church but cut through on the pedestrian route, joining the throngs of people heading up the hill.

The view over the campo towards Olvera, showing just a small section of the many picnic areas that covered the area.




Our friend Mari's daughter Laura, here on the right, was happy to pose with her friends.

These two young horsewomen were also happy to stop for a picture on their beautifully presented horses.























Just a few pics of the many picnic and barbeque areas that were spread out over the campo.




































The Sanctuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.


A brilliant day that goes on into the wee small hours. After once again enjoying the hospitality, warmth and generosity shown by the lovely people of Olvera, we headed home to our dog and a rest.

2 comments:

Francisco said...

Hi Alan!

I´ve just discovered your blog and it seems quite interesting :) i´m a guy from Olvera in the exile. Actually i left Olvera 7 years ago and i´m living in Tallin, Estonia, i look back to me and it looks like a whole life... :P

I just wanted to tell you that i had a pleasurable surprise when i found out your blog and i wish you to keep enjoying our little village as another olverereño more :D

Greetings

Francisco

Alan Crosskey said...

Hola Francisco,
Great to hear from you and we are glad that you enjoy looking at our blog. We certainly do love Olvera and its generous and kind people and we hope that it brings you pleasure and good memories.
Best wishes.