Sometimes we feel small in front of the wonder of the world, of the creations, of nature, but sometimes we can feel small in front of a different world, at least in the fantasy of the Christmas season.
I have walked the streets after Three Kings Day, a big holiday here, even more important than Christmas, and I understand why, the focus is on the children and I am glad it is so. I went to the big event on that day, the famous ‘Cabalgata de Reyes’, and it was spectacular. I will bring you many interesting things from it. But immediately after that day begins the period of taking down the lights, dismantling the Christmas trees, the streets are stripped of their luminous decorations and the city returns to the way it was more than a month ago.
A process that goes on little by little, but the lights are no longer on, and at some point on that walk I took recently I felt nostalgic. I really enjoyed the festive season, despite the drizzly days when I couldn't go out or take photographs. You know I'm experimenting with night mode photography and the pictures look spectacular.
Then I went back to days ago on a beautiful walk I did in the city, a quiet calm walk, going through important streets, but others not so much, paying attention to the decorations, many of them weird but nice, street photography. I'm liking that theme too. I always like to learn new things. And as it's not too cold here I can go out in the evenings and practice.
As I was saying, I like to walk along unusual streets and on one of those walks I ended up in the centre, in front of the sculpture of the three graces, that's what it's called. The Christmas lights were mixed with those of the cars, and I took two photographs of that moment.
I continued walking without losing sight of the sculpture or the fountain that derives from it, I crossed the avenue and while walking I took three more photographs, one of them is my favourite. Guess which one.
As if in a leap of universe or dimension, although in reality I arrived walking, I arrived at one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the city, which awakens the fantasy in children and I love that.
The stalls were so beautifully decorated in their windows, with their curtains and many times these were open and you could see how they had decorated with mannequins, pretending to be people in their houses. The balconies were also beautiful and everything looked like a small Christmas town.
Trees lit up everywhere, which gave a special atmosphere and where people could take pictures.
I think one of the special ingredients of this fantasy world is the carousel, so beautifully illuminated, where children can play. It reminds me, in a very distant memory, of one where I was at a fair far away in time, in my childhood. Of course I always chose a horse to enjoy the carousel.
A rustic nativity scene was found between the stalls and this special world. And besides the crib I showed you some time ago, I saw a special place.
In the distance there were some stained glass windows, but I didn't really know what was inside. I had to investigate. Everyone was crowding around to see inside and I had to wait a while to have my turn.
When I approached a small and wonderful world I could see behind the glass. A city in the snow, children playing on a carousel, as if it were a miniature world of what was going on outside.
Also children playing with the snow and having a lot of fun, playing with each other. The place was very spacious and the day and night of the snowy city were present, all perfectly set.
Small Christmas trees and others that were pine trees. Look at the beautiful little houses and the reindeer, I think they are reindeer and not dogs.
These little details are the big things that are worth looking at. Maybe it took a lot of time and money to put together this beautiful model that resembles a 3D cartoon. I loved being able to step for a moment into that world of fun between snow and Christmas.
Thank you very much to all of you for joining me today, I wish you a good Sunday. See you soon.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
