Reyes.

Reyes.

Kings. 

They arrived!! Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar personally arrived in Gijón by helicopter on the beach to greet everyone with their flag waving entourage. It was pretty exciting, especially when the tiny children started exclaiming 'MELCHORMELCHORMELCHOR!!!' at this guy, draped in an ermine coat, long white beard and topped off with a crown. I have to admit it was all very convincing and that Spain most definitely puts the effort in.

Santa doesn't have an entourage this well garbed does he now...

I didn't visit the Kings at the ayuntamiento (town hall), but I was pretty certain of not receiving anything from them. I did however see the evening parade. A 25 minute spectacular that snaked through the streets of Gijón, where everyone threw glitter confetti and streamers everywhere, people leaned out of their flat windows and lined the streets. There was a police escort at the start and a fire engine at the end. In between there were at least 3 marching bands, including one of bagpipes, a small herd of cows, sheep, and goats, a float for each King pulled by a giant red tractor, a train filled with fake presents, teenagers in Tudor dress on roller-skates, roman soldiers, people in fezzes,  Egyptians and a nativity scene.  

I don't know if they're meant to be jellyfish or minarets... Gaspar's too busy being fabulous to care.

That is why Spain should organise all street fiestas.