Dia de Los Reyes - Tinajo

Dia de los Reyes, or Three Kings Day, falls on January 6th every year. It's the day that children in Spain receive their presents for Christmastime.

outside Parroquia de San Roque de Tinajo

we stumble upon the fiesta Dia de Los Reyes

as the January evening sun casts oblong shadows
of the emerging camels carrying three exotic kings

who toss boiled sweets into the gathered crowd

as clowns on stilts and jesters and elves in green

march around the once familiar palmed plaza

under a myriad of flashing festive lights of LED

the belén strangely silent amidst the pandemonium
as the calles bristle with enthusiasm and joy

and trumpets and drums and a marching parade
enchant the children, whose shouts and laughter 

echo along with Noche de Paz, Navidad Navidad -

old folk and families and groups of excited teens
- young lovers exchange glances and kisses
oblivious to the festivities which surround them

the waving, dancing Disney characters look out of place

Micky and Minnie, Pooh, SpongeBob and Patrick Star
smells of popcorn, churros and algodón de azúcar
whilst those flamboyant flashing lights mock the stars

as the excited procession and crowd gathers pace

and the beats from the bands merge and crescendo -

heading back to our car, leaving festive fiesta magic behind

we return to the stillness our fast-asleep and silent village