Just because Christmas and New Year's have passed does not mean that the holiday celebrations are over here in Puerto Rico. They celebrate another holiday,
Tres Reyes or Three Kings on January 6th. This is actually quite a common holiday in Latin and Spanish cultures that celebrate the arrival of the three kings that came to visit Jesus after he was born and brought him gifts. For Puertorriqueños, it means getting more presents and candy - a much-loved holiday, especially for the kids. The night before, children put grass in shoe boxes and place them under their beds and the following morning, they find candy and small gifts in their shoe boxes. Kind of reminds me a bit of getting an Easter basket! :)
In Cupey, where we currently live, they have something extra special for the neighborhood kids:
Los Reyes Magos where three men dress up like the Three Kings and ride horses down the street and hand out candy for the kids! This was also accompanied by a float full of people singing and playing typical Puerto Rican instruments including the
Güiro, the
Cuatro, and
Palitos. It was quite fun to see this happening on our street! It was especially nice to see the kids (and Ethan) getting all excited to get candy from the Three Kings!
¡
Feliz Día de los Reyes!
This is what they do in Spain, Christmas is just a day off, the presents are given on Three Kings Day or Dia de Reyes; unfortunately schools usually start the next day for all the kids. The Three Kings usually travel through the town throwing candy and plastic foot balls on the night before Three Kings Day.
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