The creepy Belen

So in early December strange things started happening in my town.  First, piles of wood started showing up on corners, then they were turned into fences and the spaces filled with dirt.  Small structures sprang up.  After several days of this, I turned the corner and found this facing me, resulting in a small shriek on my part.

Bull or donkey?

Upon further investigation, animals had been placed on many streets.  They were all made of fiberglass, much larger than life-sized, and quite creepy.

giant camel

A donkey on the stairs- but is he climbing or falling?

a flock of sheep

A few days later people started popping up.  The people were also made of fiberglass and were much creepier than the animals, with twisted broken fingers and evil eyes.  The main square was converted into a town complete with farms, a lake, and a working water wheel.  I asked what was going on, and was told it was large Nativity scene.  Apparently it is the biggest in all of Spain and about 10,000 people come to see it every year, bringing a lot of business and money into town.  And I can understand, because it definitely is a big deal and very extensive, taking up several squares and streets.  I told everyone about it, and Katie came to see it.  I took a lot of pictures, so do please enjoy the bizarre!

a bunch of farmers

turkeys

a dude holding a sheep

a hill with goats on it

the nativity scene

the working water wheel

people caring for birds

bulls pulling a cart

goats

Katie kissing a camel

some vultures, bones, and me

a Roman general in a chariot

Katie with an elephant and one of the three kings

evil potato seller

Parrots in Bethlehem?  Ok.

A tiger market in Bethelem?  Ok.

a shepherd wearing a flowery fleece blanket