CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OVER....

In Portugal, like in many countries, Kings' Day falls on January 6. This day represents the official end of Christmas celebrations, when it's finally appropriate to take down the lights and decorations.In some areas you may notice nothing different at all locally, however, in others, some traditions are still alive.
 I had the opportunity to take part in what we call a Kings' parade that went throughout a small town named Tortosendo, located on the slope of Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest mountain in the country. 

It was already late in the evening when the parade arrived at the same place from where it had departed: the Town's main church.

This time is also another excuse to eat Bolo Rei (King Cake) a sweet cake with a hole in the centre, filled with dried and candied fruits. 

There is a custom to eat pomegranate because the huge amount of seeds and juice in the fruit represents wealth. In some regions, people suck the first three seeds that are traditionally placed in the drawer where money is kept, the second batch of three goes into the bread drawer and the third is thrown into the fire. Why all the seed stashing? To keep money, food and warmth coming all year of course.  Some people even wrap three seeds in foil and keep them in their wallets. I have never done it. Would you?

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