The peaceful Central American town of Antigua, Guatemala, sits beneath dormant volcanoes that overlook quaint cobblestone streets, historical Colonial churches, and brightly decorated shops. Leafy Parque Central, abundant with manicured trees and the ever present Spanish fountain, occupies the very heart of the city. With its tranquil and calming ambience, it is the ideal hamlet for Guatemalans and tourists to sit and enjoy the highlights of Antigua. 

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, as I recently explained to my American students, is celebrated in Andalusia through religious processions (called pasos) that wind their way day and night through the streets of cities and towns. As with so many Spanish traditions, such as bullfighting, it’s almost impossible to convey an accurate picture of Semana Santa celebrations to anyone who has never attended one. They must be experienced rather than understood at an intellectual level.

I live in the Triana neighborhood of Seville. Triana, legendary (and some would say, mythological) home of bullfighters and gypsies. There's a certain romance here, I like to think, that you won't find in other districts. It's a nice neighborhood, made even nicer by the fact that we now have (yet) another virgin.