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The Wild Asparagus Hunters are Out and About

It´s that time of year. Cars parked in odd places, the solitary person - usually a man, popping up above a bank or from behind an olive tree. The hunters of the wild aparagus are here. The plentiful rain scattered with a day or two of sunshine has brought them out in droves. Some have their route, others instinctively know where to go. They appear, walking back to their cars, with a huge bundle of foot long green spears of asparagus. And off they go, probably not to be seen for another year - or another week if the rain continues. No matter how hard the shoots try and hide the older men hunt them down with stick in hand, to fob off the spiky old growth, and uncover the tender new stems of wild asparagus. Everyone has their favourite way of cooking them but the most common seems to be in a Tortilla - the thick Spanish potato omelette to which you can add anything that comes to hand - or is hunted down. My one or two shorter stem finds don´t come close to the experienced hunters catch. I...

Easter Parades and Live Re-enactments

It´s glorious weather for April, far too hot suddenly, what will July be like? That should mean it´s a go ahead for all the Easter or Semana Santa fiestas, pilgrimages all across Spain.

My local town Fuensanta de Martos in Jaen province, northern Andalucia holds a live re-enactment or Passion Play every year. A long-lived tradition that was lost during the civil war years but was later reinstated. The townspeople, especially youngsters love taking part as the 'actors' portray the Easter story in the streets.




The Roman soldiers arrest 'Jesus', contemplate his fate and then drag him to one of the three permanent crosses, up on the rocky outcrop above the park and the huge fountain. With an incredible atmosphere somewhere between a party and riot during the arrest of Jesus and then the 'actual' hanging on the cross it´s certainly an odd experience with some people weeping and others making fun.




Locals and family members return from all around Spain for Easter weekend and this event which takes place at dusk on jueves santo the Thursday before Easter Friday.






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