Highlights-Madrid Day 4
The Pope was in town. Mass was held outdoors at Plaza de Cibeles, not at the Almudena Cathedral (too small for a million people). Security was very tight, even in the Metro! Later in the day, I went to my friend’s house (suburb of Madrid) for lunch with his family. They also took me to the Temple of Debod near the Royal Palace.
Ouch!
This is what distracted flying goes to you (even when your’re an angel)
Only in Spain
Olive skewers
Notable Items
I passed on the chance to attend Mass with the Pope (he wouldn’t recognize me anyway). Conducting Communion with the kind of crowd the Pope draws must be a real logistical challenge. When I attended Easter Mass in Burgos, there were people with wafers everywhere!
My friend told me about participating in a cofradía procession during Semana Santa when he was growing up. I learned several things I didn’t know, such as why the people carrying the pasos sometimes sway from side to side (short version: to convey deep spiritual meaning).
The Temple of Debod was one of many Nubian temples in a highly concentrated area that were going to be submerged by the Aswan Dam. The better known and more visually impressive Abu Simbel was one of them. Many were relocated in Egypt, but others were given away. I think the Egyptians ran out of suitable locations in their country. They approached countries that assisted with the relocations to express their gratitude thusly: Here, you take it!
Inside the temple, there are many declarations of “what Egyptians believed.” I wonder. I’m skeptical about what is knowable about religious beliefs from temple diagrams and inscriptions.