Semana Santa in Antigua

Antigua really came to live during the week of Semana Santa. Many people came here to participate, and to witness the said-to-be the best in the America. It was a little crazy, being waken up in the middle of the night by drums and trumpets, walking out of the guesthouse and coming face-to-face with an array of roman soldiers, getting up at 4am to see THE procession on Good Friday, and things like that. By the end of the week we are really, really tired of the processions and we started running away from it instead of walking toward it like earlier during the week. :) but it´s a really really special experience not to be missed. Especially seeing those people making beautiful street carpets for the processions (lower middle) in the middle of the night (upper right). it´s very moving.
I have a album posted but here are a few close-up shots to show you how beautiful the carpets are (lower right). they are usually made from dyed, colorful sawdust and fresh flower..sometimes carved wooden panel is used to make patterns (upper left), it is not an easy job!! And all these work is for the short glorious moment when the purple carriers finally come to the front of their houses or stores (lower left). They are so unbelievably easy to destroy, look at where the purple carriers step on. and what do they do after that? they make another carpet for another procession. And no two carpets ever look the same! It´s a beautiful combination of devotion, art, and faith.
now the holy week is over and Antigua has its tranquility back. we are enjoying the original flavor of this city and looking forward to taking our Spanish up a notch before moving on.