While every Spanish student in our hostal made a quick dash for home for the Holy Week, I could not do the same. Home for me was a 24 hour plane ride on the other side of the world. Thus, it was Madrid for me all week. I personally didn't mind it since it was my first time to observe the Lenten season there and I actually had fun. Not only did I get a respite from all the studying and working, I got to play tourist in the city that had been my home for over half a year.

Although the Philippines inherited Catholicism from the Spaniards, I found a huge difference in the way both countries observed lent. First, nothing closed down in Spain on Maunday Thursday nor Good Friday unlike in the Philippines. Philippine towns and cities virtually turn into ghost towns when everything shuts down. I even remember TV stations not airing anything but religious films and masses. It was likewise advised that we not talk aloud, sing nor make merry. It was sheer boredom for me during this period.

In Spain, on the other hand, life went on as usual. I went to museums, parks, and even went clubbing. El Corte Ingles and Galerias Preciados, both big department stores, stayed open and I went there to window shop and shop. I do remember watching a religious procession, a very quiet one, along the Gran Via on Good Friday after dinner. That was the extent of the religiosity I observed among the Spanish.

I remember very vividly walking up and down the Gran Via thrilled that it was still bright and sunny at 8:30 pm. I had never experienced that much daylight, ever. Later that year in the summer time, the sun didn't set until 10 pm.