This time of the year, many towns of Andalucia, prepare themselves for a long trip through the streets, highways and mother nature to reach the town of Almonte, in Huleva, where the Virgin of "El Rocio" resides.
Some have horses to pull their wagons others prefer "wheels"
Many are the preparations these folks have to do, because even though these are modern times, many travel with very little comfort. Some still sleep under the stars, with tents or their wagons that remind me of the old west and cowboy movies. You have to pack food, drinks, the essentials, but you also dress for the occasion.
Men wear their typical corto outfits with hat and all, and women wear a similar dress like the one in Feria, but more comfortable and loose (bata Rociera) so they can walk throughout the sand dunes through Doñana's Park that separates Sanlucar and Huelva. Both wear boots and many carry walking sticks to help them through the dunes.
Men in "traje de Corto" wait for departure
Beautifully decorated wagons for the trip
These folks also travel in groups, brotherhoods, so they help each other making the trip more fun. Depending where they are located they must start their journey early in order to arrive on time for the procession that takes place this June 7. It is quite a site to see them traveling on the highway, with their oxen, horses, wagons, decorated with flowers and polka dots.
Everyone is excited about it
"Bata Rociera" Dresses, must be comfortable, there is a lot of walking and climbing
They stop along the road to sleep, sing and dance and the next morning they continue to head to the town of Sanlucar, where the barge awaits, to take them across the river into Doñana Park. Their trip continues until they reach Almonte. But this is just half they story…
Some trade their wagons for something more comfortable.
Below is a video of the Brotherhood of Jerez making its way to "El Rocio"
