Semana Santa; Holy Week, started last Sunday. However, in Antigua is started about a week before that so we were able to catch a bit of the festivities. Alfombras, or carpets, are made from colored sawdust, flower pedals and pine needles and laid in the streets.
Leading the processions are elabortaly costumed Roman soldiers and Catholic devotess robed in purple
The keystone of the processions are these wooden boxes, 15 feet long and carried on the shoulders of men. Atop are elaborate scenes of Christ's crucifixion. Behind marches a live band playing very dramatic music.
A little more down to Earth: groups of families put up 'arcas' around Chirijox adorned with palm leaves and fruit. There are quite a few a them around town, each different. I asked Benancio what they represented and he wasn't sure...
There are probably hundreds of banana bunches hanging around Chirijox this week.
It is tradition to eat dried fish on the Thursday of Semana Santa. This prehistoric looking fish is apparently hard to find and very expensive. Doña Ana warms it on the plancha before putting into a soup. It was really tasty.
Generations: Hendrick, his grandpa Don Juan and his little brother who he calls "Googies" and who I call the cutest kid in Guate; Elkin. Can you tell they are related?
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