Easter in Frigiliana

The Catholics in Spain really take this time of year very seriously.  It begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates with Easter.  Here in Frigiliana, the processions begin two weeks before and culminate on Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified.  They hold a service in the evening and at midnight all the lights in town are extinguished and a procession of women dressed in black and carrying candles walks through town leading an image of Mary being carried on a platform  by men from the village.  It's a very solemn occasion and I was surprised by the huge turnout.  I didn't get to bed till 2am.  Then everybody catches up on sleep on Saturday and goes out for the festivities on Easter Sunday.  Again, men and women from the village dressed in white and green lead a procession with men carrying figures of a resurrected Jesus and Mary, who meet in the plaza and facing each other are raised skywards  in celebration.  It's a very festive and upbeat occasion.