And what an all-nighter it was. After a rousing game of cards, MW, her son, his friend B and I went down town to watch people making alfombras. Some of the designs were pretty spectacular. Most of the tourists had retired for the evening, and the streets were filled with locals, huddled with coffee, selling pupusas and other fried delights. B and I went to take photos of the alfombras while MW and her son went to sit and talk, but all 4 of us ended up at the same restaurant by accident!
At 3am, we stood in front of La Merced, a prominent church, and watched dozens of Roman soldiers on horses read the proclamation condemning Jesus and ride off into the night. It was like the Renaissance fair, but more Guatemalan and MUCH more serious (these guys mean business with the reenactment). We headed back to the house for 2.5 hours of sleep before rising again to start on our alfombra.
The alfombra team was a motley gang of gringoes from all over the States, all with some connection to MW or her housemate. With stencils and planks, dyed sawdust and water, the group constructed an impressive alfombra. Which was promptly run over by pious marchers bearing the weight of a float. bearing the weight of Jesus. bearing the weight of all of our mortal sins. Needless to say it was thoroughly destroyed, but well worth it anyway.
We napped through the afternoon then returned to town to have dinner at Cafe Frida, a hip mexican restaurant/bar honoring Frida Kahlo. Taquila ran like water and a good time was had by all.
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