Semana Santa 1

Let me just start by saying that I have been having the time of my life for nearly 3 solid days. I am in Antigua, or rather, just outside of Antigua with MW, her housemates, and a fluctuating 7/9 other house guests. We have been strolling through Antigua (which is PACKED with tourists from all over the world) viewing processions and alfombras for Semana Santa. An "alfombra" or carpet is an elaborate, mandala-like creation on the streets made of flowers plants and or sawdust. I helped dye the sawdust for the alfombra that we will be helping SH, MWs housemate, create early tomorrow morning.

The processions involve hundreds of men and boys wielding floats bearing gruesome and ornate depictions of the stations of the cross. Each float is enormous, illustrating the steps leading up to the crucifiction. They are preceded by incense and followed by small marching bands. Thousands line the streets to watch them pass by, their paths carpeted by so many ornate alfombras. The streets are a perpetual circus of people and a delight for the senses.

In addition to the processions over the alfombras, each church has an impressive display of the floats before they are cycled though the city. We visited La Iglesia de San Francisco and La Escuela de Cristo. The latter had a light show, a man narrating with a kereoke machine, and a massive display with Jesus and Angels suspended from the church ceiling and Adam and Eve on the pulpit, dressed in leopard skin caveman garments. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe the novelty of this scene.

As if this weren't enough, I could not be in better company. Our band of gringoes spans 23-66 in age and hails from all over the US. The merriment virtually never ceases. Tonight is supposed to be an all-nighter in the streets of Antigua before we start the alfombra at 6am, so I'm off to take a nap!