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TRAVEL REPORT
by Andrew Johnson
Report on the day trip to Elche for Palm Sunday - 16th March 2008
Over 50 of us enjoyed the splendour of the Palm Sunday procession in Elche. The trip, organised by Jean Laikin, was great fun as well as edifying.
We braved the chill, but later wallowed in the sun. The craft of the guilds that make the amazing palm “sculptures” cannot be ignored. Some are simply fantastic. Hours, days, weeks of effort must go into each of the grand designs. And the guilds themselves each wear their own “favours” also crafted out of woven palm leaves. I come from Essex and compare these wonders to the delicate corn dollies of East Anglia.
Following the blessing of the palms we saw the procession and watched as the largest palm creations and the statue of Christ on the donkey were carried into the basilica for the service that followed. Many of the followers and the crowd also carried palms, some also hand-crafted and others just long bleached palms.
Many months of preparation goes into this event, the first of many during Semana Santa, Holy Week.
After the procession and time to wander around Elche and its museums we slipped away for a relaxed lunch on the outskirts of town.
Thank you to Jean and to our fellow travellers for a great day together.
Report and photographs supplied by Andrew Johnson
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