Outside El Escorial

The Holy Thursday Mass didn’t take as long as I feared. The only difference from normal Mass was that there was the traditional Washing of the feet and a procession afterwards. I could understand words here and there so it was still okay for me. It was a nice experience being able to hear Mass in another language and yet still be able to comprehend what was going on. After the Mass, I hung on for a bit observing what goes on here in Holy Thursday. I grew up hearing about Visita Iglesia or church visit, and it seems some people still do that here. I won’t have a chance to do a Visita Iglesia here as that would require seven churches to visit in one go. What I would be able to do is spread them out over the next few days, I’m sure I would be able to complete seven churches.

I finally stepped outside El Escorial, by this time, people were also starting to make their way home. I hung around for a few more shots of the impressive building. It is fortunate that the days are long here, so I don’t have to worry about it getting dark so soon. The Courtyard of the Kings is already quite dark as the very tall walls surrounding the building block the already low sun. However, this makes for good lighting for the outside. If you look at it, it looks a lot like a modern government building. It is mindblowing to think that it is actually a palace and a monastery. I would have wanted to take a lot of photos of the interior El Escorial basilica and palace but there was no chance to do so. I wish that they would allow no flash photography.

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