June 5 - El Rocio

Last night before going to bed, I made some "buttermilk" and let it sit overnight so that today I could make buttermilk pancakes.  They required a little more work than a batch of  bisquik pancakes at home, but not too much more.  We don't eat pancakes often, but I have started thinking about how to use up all of the food before we leave at the end of the month.  Maple Syrup - check. 

This morning the "pilgrims" set out on their 80 km journey to Rocio.  The pilgrimage is, at its roots, a Catholic religious procession to see the Virgin Rocio statue - complete with a small paso (pulled by ox instead of carried by members of a brotherhood).  However, in practical terms, it is more of a party - with eating, drinking, dancing, music, smoking, and if rumor is correct some more intense party activity.  They had a Rosary mass this morning and then headed out - lots of well wishers and curious tourists came out to watch.  It is definitely a more festive atmosphere than the Holy Week processions.

They are set to return next week - hopefully we will be able to catch their return.  Also, I saw a sign for the Corpus Christi events that happen in a couple of weeks.

A new art project has popped up that is focused on recycling (how appropriate since today is World Environment Day).  Different artists have painted 20 "dolls" which are placed all over the city.  In the next few days I hope to find them all.