Two weeks ago I was fortunate enough to see one of the processions in action, as well as to witness some of my first real alfombras since being at NPH. After coming back from Semuc, Molly, Thayer, and I found ourselves in Antigua right as the processions for Palm Sunday were coming through. The processions wander through the streets for HOURS going to the 12 Stations of the Cross. We were fortunate enough to see the 40 or so men carrying the float presenting Jesus, and the 40 or so women carrying the float with Mary, the men adorned with purple robes and the women donning black and white dress clothes. To me carrying the float just seems like a cool thing to do, but to many people here carrying the float is reminiscent of Jesus carrying the cross, and is quite a moving and religious experience. We were able to see hundreds of people walking in the procession before making our way to “Luna de Miel” for a delicious Palm Sunday lunch and our trek back home.
The following Tuesday, we celebrated Semana Santa with the kids in school at NPH. The kids create their own alfombras (unfortunately no sweet sawdust alfombras this year…we’re on a tight budget…oh well). Each of the different classes created their own Station of the Cross to visit, including alters, flowered alfombras, and even one with a waterfall(!) and we had a procession with a float carried by the children, which moved between each of the Stations of the Cross. As they processed through the stations, the grades would pass along the float to the next grade, ending with the oldest children at the last station. It was really interesting to see the children working so hard on each of their rugs and alters, and a great experience to be able to help them create such beautiful alfombras.
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