Lent and Semana Santa is time to show devotion and love as you can see in the picture above. With this wonderful image we say goodbye for now to the mini series Lenten Vistas. I hope you have enjoyed it! Join me for a very special photo walk every Sunday of Lent, from 2 pm … Read more
Nowadays I believe there are as many photographers as cucuruchos, well maybe half or so as many cucuruchos. Of course, many cucuruchos also carry a camera as well and since they are inside the float area they get close-up views of the processions; but so do we! Find the perfect perch and watch the procession … Read more
Another typical vista during Lent is the purple banners and bands that adorn many houses and business doorways and windows. Palacio de Doña Leonor goes the extra mile by also placing a live violet orchid in between the doorways. Is this your first Semana Santa in Antigua or your 5th? Join us for an unforgettable … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Alfombras procesionales for processional carpets. To look at the Lenten processional carpets you actually need to be in front of the procession as carpets are usually finished only minutes before the main float, anda in Spanish, goes by. Semana Santa is coming up quickly! Treat yourself … Read more
If you follow the Lenten processions through the northwest part of Antigua Guatemala you will invariable come across images of floats trying to navigate through the electric wire webs we have all over Guatemala. That’s why there are cable raiser ready to clear the way for the floats or andas as we call them in … Read more
Join me for a very special photo walk every Sunday of Lent, from 2 pm to 6 pm. Don’t miss this once-a-year chance to capture stunning aspects of the traditional processions from the intricacies of carpet building, to the coordination required to carry a wooden float. These special photo walks will get you to the … Read more
The Maya play the drum and rustic flute commonly known as tzicolaj, although some people claim it to be an actual xul. And I have always thought this was a chirimilla. Does anyone really know what is the actual name of this Mayan rustic flute?
The tradition of carrying the processional floats starts at a very early age as you can see here with portrait of a cucurucho and his son already dress up for the occasion. Yesterday I shared with you the portrait of a dolorosa and cucurucho baby, a mother and her son.
Today I share with you a photograph of a little cucurucho boy wearing what could be his first purple robe and his mother a Dolorosa or hermana cargadora. By the way, in case you didn’t know, purple is the color of penitence. With Lent the color purple becomes very fashionable in Antigua Guatemala. You see … Read more
This past Sunday the first Lenten procession hit the streets of Antigua Guatemala. Here’s procession from Santa Catalina Bobadilla as it passes in front of the Cathedral around 6:20pm, about an hour later than expected according to the processional route maps that were handed out. Nevertheless, it was better from a photographic perspective as we … Read more
Cucuruchos and Photographers need to take a few breaks through out the processional route at the tienditas. This is one of the typical vistas during Lent processions. You also find Roman soldiers and Dolorosas as well.
After hours of walking and carrying the heavy processional floats, cucuruchos need to hidrate themselves and what better way than with cold and refreshing granizada, shaved ice in English. Of course, during Lent this vista is quite common during the processions. Do you like sweet or salty granizadas?
The processional carpets not only provide beautiful ephemeral art to the eye, often, they also give us the aromas of Lent and the Holy Week with pine needles, corozo palms, flowers and fruits. Of course, the original purpose of the alfombras procesionales, as we call them in Spanish, is as an offering.
Lent is also use to prepare and put the final touches on the floats and imagery used during the Holy week. The same can be said of the repairs made to the cobblestoned streets and the paint jobs applied to the façades of houses and churches.
