2.08.08 The party's over

In the morning, the laden pole top in the bullring was empty. The bull tethered to its base to prevent theft looked redundant and terribly bored.

Today was the closing finale procession, so all the groups paraded around the pretty square and into the church. Everyone seemed a little jaded and I wondered if the religious aspect was coming to the fore now that the bacchanalian adventures had run their course. After all, this was not merely a week-long piss up, instead, it was a religious event in honour of the founder of the Jesuits, the Catholic order who originally set up the town. What they would have made of the custom of putting Jesus in a frilly peach skirt is difficult to say.

In the afternoon, the family I was staying with all went for a swim in the lake as the sun set. A fantastic setting but it was best not to think about the alligators that share it. The heavens filled with colour, which was reflect in the lake, and then darkness fell. Lying on the decking we watched the busy evening above, as the stars and moon were jostled by the satellites, planes and shooting stars.