"Three Kings in the Neighborhood"

This was my first Three Kings procession. It was organized in a small neighborhood by a local charity with the aim of bringing people together and raising funds to support seniors, families, and others in need.

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The procession celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men, or Kings, to baby Jesus. It’s a mix of religious celebration and local tradition, giving communities a chance to come together, mark the end of the Christmas season, and continue festive customs in a personal, neighborly way.

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Snow lay on the streets, the winter sun was bright, and a real camel moved calmly among people. Without fences or barriers, the procession felt open and intimate. Some people watched from the sides, others walked along, talked, shared food, and stayed. Neighbors baked cakes, hot tea and hot dogs were offered freely, and the cold January afternoon slowly became a shared gathering rather than a staged event.

As the day came to an end, the light softened into golden hour, casting a warm color over the afternoon. What stayed with me was not the spectacle, but the quiet closeness — people present with each other, sharing time in the cold.