Posada in Teotitlan del Valle

This was my first posada and it was an honor and a privilege to be invited to the home of Ana Ruiz Gonzalez to take in this annual celebration.  "Posada" translates as "inn" and the nine day event reenacts Mary and Joseph's travails as they search for a place to stay for the night.   Posadas vary in in different places, but in Teotitlan del Valle, the two statues from the church are carried from house to house each evening, eventually ending up at the house where the baby Jesus is waiting for them on the last night.  In this case, the Ruiz family left their house to go and pick up the statues at the house where they had spent the night before.  Here's Zacarias Ruiz...

 and Emilia Gonzalez, Ana's parents, as they hasten to their destination,

where Mary and Joseph await.

Then, carried by four women from the previous house, they leave, beginning a long candlelit procession through the streets.

I spoke with the women carrying the statues and they said it was quite heavy, but each felt blessed to have done it.

It was a long slow walk.

Meanwhile, the people of the village lined the streets to watch, while others sat waiting patiently for the procession's arrival.

While others spent time out in front of the house having fun.

Eventually they ended up at the Ruiz's house, where there were many rituals, music and later in the evening, food.

The Ruiz's spend the night and next day with the statues and then the whole thing repeats, which in this case was the final destination after which the three are returned to the church for Navidad.