Princesas de Primavera (Spring Princesses)

Writing in the local paper. Local issues with a global take. I never translate literally and the editor trims at will to make it fit. Here’s my version, then theirs.

It’s the
time of year for cherries, little sailor suits, Playstations and
travel agents with deals on trips to Euro Disney. I happened to be
invited to a communion the other day and to this guiri travel writer,
these celebrations are as exotic as bullfights, Songkran in Thailand
or Novrus in Iran. 

It wasn’t my first, so I had an idea as what to
expect but this one happened to be in one of the megachurches in one
of the newer parts of the city and therefore promised a different
look at an old custom. 

It’s been a warm spring and that particular day was no
different. The traditionally sombrely dressed men had added a bit of color and had decided to dip
into their clothing reserve that is normally reserved for summer
weddings but it was definitely the rather short skirts that seemed to
catch everyone’s…eye. 

When the ceremony began, I found myself inside the decorated gymnasium as
the nervous children walked up the aisle, the weight of their
protagonism etching itself in ever slightly different ways on their
serious faces. As the ceremony drew on I found myself drifting
outside along with clouds of incense and a steady stream of better-dressed people. Walking around the growing crowd, I couldn’t help
but eavesdrop on conversations here and there. 

Lunch seemed to be
the topic of the day with the key words being where the luncheon was taking place and how many had been invited.
According to many, communions were becoming like weddings in order to
help with that trip to see Mickey in Paris. Sentries peeked in on the
ceremony now and then and as it began to come to an end, the crowds
slid back in. 

The children were now standing at the front and a crush
of paparazzi formed in front, but the priest had yet to finish. The
crowd grew and so did the noise as the priest strained to be heard
over the hum, ‘Don’t forget that while today is important, it would
be nice to see this enthusiasm here tomorrow (Sunday).’ I don’t often
agree with sermons from the pulpit but this time he was on to
something.