Lunes de Aguas

Hola! 

For my 21st birthday, I got a surprise visit from my mother! I am completely confident in saying that this was the best gift EVER. Plus, her timing couldn't have been better. We were able to celebrate a uniquely Salamancan tradition together - Lunes de Aguas. 

Lunes de Aguas, which literally translates to "water Monday," traditionally occurs the monday following Easter Sunday. During the 16th century, Philip II decreed that the prostitues of Salamanca (of which there were PLENTY as it was an all male University town...) be sent to the other side of the river Tormes for Lent. Organized by the University students, Lunes de Aguas celebrated the return of the prostitutes to the city of Salamanca. The students organized huge welcoming parties where they enthusiastically helped the priest who was in charge of transporting the prostitutes, in crossing them over the river. The rest of the day was spent eating, drinking and celebrating along the banks of the river. 

Hornazo - traditional Salmancan food for Lunes de Aguas.
The dough is stuffed with pork loin, chorizo and egg.
It is eaten especially during this festival because the indulging by
eating tons of meat/pork products harmonizes with the celebration of the
imminent indulgence that comes along with the return of the prostitutes... 

Today only the second part of the tradition remains. Everyone goes down to the river for a picnic and spends the day lazing about in a state of joy and merriment. The hilarity of this holiday - for which businesses in Salamanca actually close, mind you - was one of my favorite experiences here. I'm incredibly glad that my mom was here to share it with me. 

The University scene of Lunes de Aguas -
down by the river Tormes and Roman bridge