Viva La Virgen!

Growing up as a Southern Baptist, I was naturally speechless when I saw this video of a particular religious festival on Spanish TV last week. It's the celebration of Our Lady of the Dew (La Virgen del Rocio) which takes place in southern Spain - Andalucia. Everyone knows the Spanish really like to fiesta, and religious holidays are not the exception, but more the rule. As you can see, there is no shame in singing, dancing, and drinking to honor the Virgen Mary. I couldn't help but feel a tad envious for all the fun they were having. Being Southern Baptist is a much more sombre affair: there is singing, and at best, some handclapping...but there is no dancing and certainly no drinking (in public anyway). I still don't quite understand the significance of La Virgen del Rocio, I'd probably have to be Spanish Catholic for that. But I can tell you it is the largest celebration of it's kind in Spain, involving hundreds of thousands of people who go on a pilgrimage (many on horseback) to honour the Virgen once a year.