A Plethora of Vigins

Yesterday, with the help of my new apps, I headed out at 4 pm to a nearby plaza to watch one procession go by. What I didn't realize was that through this plaza many of the processions passed. I ended spending 6 1/2 hours there, on my feet, as about 7 virgins came through. I lost count after a while.
People were nice; they offered to let me sit on these tiny 3 legged folding stools that were being sold in the crowd. I refused, afraid that if I squatted on one of them I wouldn't be able to get up. At a certain point everyone in the crowd took out sandwiches that they had brought from home. They ate while the nazarenos passed. I relied on the kindness of strangers and accepted a sandwich from the lady next to me. A nazareno also gave me a candy, which I swear I did not ask for and another one gave me a Holy card: el Cristo de la Sed, the Christ of thirst. Children collected wax from the dripping candles to make wax balls. The bands, with their loud, at times discordant music were wonderously powerful. It was almost 11pm when the last Virgin passed and I hobbled home.