After all the hype, Semana Santa finally arrived. From the beginning of the week town was filled with tourists and local people on holiday, all booked up for the weeks events..or rather processions, as everything revolved around these leaving the churches at various times of the day.
At the hospital we fed and changed the children and then rounded up as many volunteers as we could to take the children out to the various churches to see the processions. Some people also came in just for the day to help out which was really good as it meant that more children could get out.
So in the blazing heat we pushed the children along the cobbled and uneven streets to the various churches, often bringing the traffic to a standstill, as it was busy, there were a number of traffic police who were very willing to help us cross the streets and navigate the crowds. Later we bought ice creams for all the children and the helpers. This week the time just raced by as we were out quite a lot if the time, enjoying the sun and the carnival type atmosphere.
A big week this week as Perla was baptised, AND surprisingly her mother arrived with her new born child. It was quite strange to meet her after such a long time, as she has never visited Perla since she was admitted. I was asked to be her godmother but I declined as I will not be here, so one of the young nurses volunteered, which is great and quite common at the hospital as many of the children don’t have families. So armed with a couple of presents we arrived at the hospital on staurday night at 7.30 to attend her baptism…Not unsurprising I was overwhelmed when I saw Perla all dressed up in a beautiful white dress…. Yes I shed a tear or two she just looked beautiful….
There were four other children from the ward who were also being baptised… After the final sermon, in the quiet church with everyone thinking about what Father Jose had said, all we could hear was Perla laughing and one of the other children humming a song. I must admit we had a giggle.
Next week it should be back to work as usual as the other children return and we get back to normality..of a sort! I am looking forward to it!
PROCESSIONS…PROCESSIONS…PROCESSIONS!!!!!!!
I am totally overwhelmed by what I have seen this week. Semana Santa is everything I have read about! Every major church in Antigua and a couple of surrounding villages has a procession throughout the week. Every church has an anda; a large processional platform carrying the figures and decorated, carried by lots of people and paraded through every street in town. Every street makes a number of alfrombas; carpets made from various materials like flowers and coloured sawdust as well as fruit and vegetables. The andas are carried by men in full length purple tunics until 3.00pm on Good Friday after which they wear black. They carry the figure of Christ. T
he women dress in black and white and carry the Virgin Mary. In front of the procession is a group of men filling the streets with incense, so much that its often difficult to see the other side of the street, the smell lingering for hours afterwards. Following behind each anda is a brass band playing throughout the day and night. The streets are lined with men and women in purple or black robes ready to exchange places with the ones carrying the andas, so many people have the opportunity to participate. For these processions people pay for the privilege of carrying the anda and have to hire or buy the uniform, consequently its mainly the richer people who participate.
On Good Friday we were on the streets outside one of the main churches ready for the procession of Jesus and the cross at 3.15am. It was spectacular with Roman soldiers on horses and chariots , as well as soldiers and children carrying banners. All the streets were covered in amazing alfrombas, all made during the night. Then at 4.00am the anda came out of the church and started its journey through the streets of Antigua. It did this till 5.30pm in the evening. In other parts of Antigua other andas were also being carried along the streets. Saturday all the processions were for the Virgin Mary.
There was also a procession of tableauxs illustrating the twelve stages of the cross, following the same pattern as the previous day but without the soldiers etc. One of the things that has surprised me is the music which is played throughout the day and night! Often I would wake up in the night to hear the sounds of the drums and trumpets! Quite surreal!
Today, Easter Sunday, the main procession left from our hospital cathedral. Today celebrates the Resurrection and also stands as the day of the poor. Today anyone can carry the anda and there is no charge and people can wear what they like. It was spectacular with lots of music, fireworks, clapping, singing and rejoicing as people celebrated the Resurrection. The children and other patients from the hospital lined the streets as the anda went by. Two hours later the streets were clean as people headed back home after a spectacular few days.
Everyone present in Antigua during Semana Santa engages emotionally regardless of their religion- or lack of it -or point of origin or perspective. Quite simply, the energy created through the shared focus and will power of thousands of participants, involved in a centuries old cycle of suffering, pain and final redemption is impossible to
ignore or remai
n un
moved by.
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx
All of the children are back now, so both Raju and I have spent most mornings at the hospital
few pounds!!! Oh and of course telling all the nurses about my family, now they have met two of them.
Travelling…..
A wooden image, decked in scarves, smoking a cigar and drinking firewater, his room enveloped in incense and flowers and his minders by his side. The Maximon has been worshipped by the Mayans for centuries, he is believed to bring luck, good harvests, rain, a fair price for maize and success. For a prayer to be heard and answered, offerings must be bought in the form of cigarettes, alcohol, flowers and scarves to persuade him to do goodwill.
And we celebrated Lesley's birthday with cake and ice cream with the kids and a few drinks in the evening!!!!
