"Celebraciones de Cuaresma 2010" ended today with Easter. "Cuaresma" refers to the 40 days leading into this final Sunday. Oaxaca is packed with tourists, certainly a good sign for businesses. There is an international look to visitors with lots of Europeans and people from the Far East wandering the streets. All of them are clutching cameras, so I fit right in. And lots of mexicanos, as well. Oaxaca is a popular destination for Semana Santa.It was a long week. Starting with Palm Sunday in Santa Ana del Valle.
To the traditional callejoneada on Thursday, a moving street party with lots of musicians from the local university.
There is a reason people come here. It is a festive and, at the same time, a somber week, full of rituals, celebrations and traditions. And of course, Oaxaca knows how to welcome visitors. There were food stands set up everywhere and the smells were way too tempting for most.
I did the best I could, but shooting at night in large crowds is tough, at least for me. For the Good Friday "Procession of Silence" the crowds were too much to deal with. I was glad I got there early enough to get some shots because once the event began it was sardine city. 
It helps being a foot taller than most of the people, but having a big gringo standing in front did not endear me to some. It balances out as I try to walk under the makeshift awnings and roofs that are thrown up everywhere. I get whacked in the neck by ropes and cables all the time. Not to mention having permanent lumps in the head from smacking into things down here regularly.
Procesion del Silencio began at around sunset on Friday. 
Lots of iconic images.
The crosses that they are carrying are quite heavy.
Many beautiful images. 
Some of the banners to be carried.
As I watched all the pageantry, saw all the richness and riches of the church, and having learned some of it's history in Mexico, I could not help but think of it's current problems. It was a long week.
3 comments:
The photo one above the "Jesús nos dice"is hauntingly striking or strikingly haunting. Beautiful.
I just saw some similarly-themed photos of Morelia's Procesión de Silencio on MexicoCooks blog. Never even knew about this particular procession although I think I actually saw it in Zinapecuaro back in 1978. Didn't speak enough Spanish to have any idea what I was witnessing. Thank you so much for sharing these. I also loved the ones of Yanhuitlán.
Beautiful images, but looks like a long week.
I could have done it better, but it takes planning to get to various places at the right time. I learned a lot this year. As they say, "Wait 'til next year."
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