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El Rocío 2007

Seville, 27 May 2007

sevilla5 @ El Rocío - a day in another world.

We're getting into our "goldy" car on Avenida Luis Montoto, next to the remains of the former Roman aqueduct.

At first it seems like we would not even get out of Seville: Anne and Dave get the car ready for the trip.

After one hour on the road we suddenly emerge in another world. No more cars and highways, just horses, sandy paths and houses in a "wild west style".

We are entering in the town which is only filled with life during the Rocío pilgrim days.

"One wheel on my wagon and I'm still rolling alone..."

Traditional dress for El Rocío.

David starts to mingle with the pilgrims. And so we meet Angel, the finance minister of the Brotherhood of Palma de Mallorca. There are 105 brotherhoods taking part in the most famous pilgrimage in Andalucia.

That is the church where the virgin Rocío is located.

Hundreds of years ago she appeared over the lake next to the church.

Everyone, young and old, tall and small have traveled to the Rocio, many have journeyed for several days.

On this sunny Sunday afternoon everybody is singing, dancing, and visiting their friends in the different brotherhood houses.

While enjoying our lunch we see lots of horses, wagons and happy people passing by.

Even the restaurants and bars seem to exist only in these few days. Then the city practically closes for another year.

Awaiting the tow truck.

Rush hour at 4 pm in the direction of Rocio.

At 2 a.m. the virgin will be carried out of the church. Unfortunately we have to leave before. David is going on a Tapas tour tonight.

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