Good Friday Procession

On Good Friday (21st?) we participated in a procession around his town. (there is a movie on the web album of it). Felipe had only done it once before so it wasn't really a tradition for him but I wanted to see it. It was very hot so we only lasted for 2 of the about 5 hours it takes in from 10am to about 3pm. The people from town line the streets and hold lit candles and march while in the middle of the street walks a guy ("Jesus") with no shoes and a crown of thorns carrying a cross. In front of him walk 5 men, 3 of which hold candles on tall gold poles, 1 a cross, and 1 a cross with Jesus on it. Then "Jesus" is followed by men carrying a very large statue of Jesus in purple robes kneeling down while carrying the cross. There are other men who carry a tent like thing to shade the statue. The guy carrying the cross gets no shade however... At the end of the procession is women carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary with her equally shaded.

It seems like almost the whole town was participating. They set up different "stations" around town that are shaded, have red carpet laid down and are decorated with streamers and an altar. The procession goes from station to station, putting all the statues under the shade at each on while everyone sings hymns and prays. They all end up at the church but Felipe and I did not last that long. We stopped because it was incredibly hot and there was no shade at all. I felt so sorry for the guy carrying the 80 pound cross with bare feet but I guess that was kind of the point...

There is also a procession at night but that one is silent where no one is allowed to talk. We did not go to that one because Felipe started to feel sick and we were still quite exhausted from they morning. They heat here is very intense but at least when the sun goes down around 7 every thing does cool off very well. The breeze is fresh and it makes you want to sit outside all evening long. We usually spend about 2 hours every night sitting in his family's open air kitchen sipping hot chocolate or tea, having a snack and getting caught up on 13 years of stories. I stay focused for the first 4o minutes or so but then my brain starts to hurt and I start to stare a little at all the fun pots on the wall. His family is wonderful and I am loving the opportunity to meet them and get to know them. They are all so nice and welcoming. It will be hard to leave but it is reassuring to know that soon we will be able to come back and visit whenever we want too!