Alfombras & Procession Antigua Week #3

By week #3 of Lent we were getting pretty good at knowing what we wanted to go see. The process of the Alfrombras being built is our favorite part - this week the procession was coming from the village of Jocotenango - which is just up the road from our homestay (the procession went right by our homestay).

These were amazing and so cute!

Check out the cantaloupe sailboat!

 

These folks were just getting started on the decorations.

My favorite - the arch, an anda (float) and then park central with working fountain!

Just love the detail...

This family had just started building their alfombra and he was helping keep the grass wet so it wouldn't blow away. :)

A cucurucho in training...

He has a clipboard - he must be in charge of something...

such a tiring day...

The pole is being used to lift the power lines out of the way of the tall sculptures.

We obviously love all the people watching too - the colors in Guatemala are amazing...

Right after he took this picture she grinned and waved...
I've been amazed at how the women carry their kids - it seems like up to about the age of 2 or 3 they will carry them on their front or back. I watched one lady who was selling things in the street and carrying her baby in the front start to nurse him and then just kept selling. The women of this country have my highest respect.

Nothing like falling asleep on grandpa's lap...

Mary's float - carried by women.
Please see the procession blog from week #1 for more information on what/who decides when they take their turn carrying the float.

Getting ready to swap out holders - see the ladies on the right standing there in black skirts and white shirts?

Swapping out...

and done...

These folks came after the procession.
I have to admit - watching these people trying to sell very western trinkets we thought of Jesus at the temple and his reaction to the vendors (Matthew 21: 12-13).

the cleanup begins...