We were in Santillana Del Mar today and the weather was not particularly cooperative so
we had to come up with a plan for what to do. This wasn't so inconvenient since we
were all a little worn out and a low key day of checking out shops and churches in a small
town left over from medieval times and watching weddings happen in the present seemed
like a real possibility. So, we headed out to check out the shops
where we found warming shoes. Next we made our way to the main church
that dates from the 12th century. We knew we'd be going back there; we just didn't
realize how much time we'd be spending there. We did follow the signs
to get tickets with which to visit the church but because acts
were happening, we realized we'd have to come back later to see the chapel.
So, I started taking pictures of the town
including the watering troth
at the end of the main street.
This inspired Suzanne to buy film
and do the same.
We went to the back side of the church and started to explore the structure
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By now the acts in the church were proceeding and this sign was posted
to let us know that there would be excitement coming.
Tourists
kept coming and going into the church
even as the rice throwers
gathered off the patio
This car
gave away what was about to happen (and indeed what the acts were).
Suzanne and Sarah watched from the sidelines
as the crowds assembled
and these men
started to guard the church to kept those assembled
from entering.
There was a break in the action, as this car approached
and out she stepped
and prepared to enter the church on the arm of her father
with her aides in tow
But, none of this had any impact on the assembled rice throwers
so we were left to wonder what was happening
Two conflicting theories developed – maybe the wedding hadn't happened yet or maybe
they were going back in so the photographers could capture the simulated wedding on
film. Later when we learned the truth (or so we think) we realized how wrong we were.
For now, we occupied ourselves by taking pictures of Sarah's hand
After a few more pictures of the church
and of the house next door
where the rice throwers were assembled, the newlyweds
made their appearance
and got pelted
to the delight of the rice throwers
With our final glimpses of the scene
and the assembled spectators
we realized that there had been 2 weddings and that this bride was different from the one
we had seen entering the church.
All of this activity, made us hungry, so we headed to our table at the restaurant
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After a long siesta, we headed out to explore the town again. In the clear day, we could
see some beautiful street scenes
and the phone booth
in our hotel's lobby before going to the torture museum
where these warnings
were posted.
Being tired, we did limited photography at dinner recording just Suzanne's main course
of smoked salmon and her dessert
of chocolate mousse.