Yesterday marked Good Friday, which is a big deal in a predominant Catholic population. Yesterday alcohol sales were prohibited. The liquor isles in grocery stores were taped off, the sale of liquor in restaurants were restricted. It was amazing and actually pretty cool to see. The restriction of alcohol for any period of time was a bit of a culture shock. You're telling me that State and religion can coincide peacefully!?
The owner of the house we are renting told us about the procession that occurs on Good Friday and encouraged us to try to watch this event which began around 9pm, causing some street roads to be closed off. In essence, the procession is when clergy and church members gather and walk in the community praying. This is supposed to symbolize the final day of Jesus.
The route was by our house so we just happened to get outside at the correct time of when the church clergy and parishioners began to walk passed our house. Small floats were created and were part of this walk-each having unique symbolisms. The most iconic float that we saw was a glass coffin with Jesus inside and men dressed as romans with spears walked alongside this float. I wanted to embrace what I was seeing and I feel like that can get lost by taking pictures. I did find some pictures from the internet to help capture a bit of what we saw.
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| The spots that the clergy stopped and prayed. All of the parishioners walking behind the clergy stopped also. Photo link |
I have been told that Easter, in many ways is spent with family and going to church. Easter eggs and the Easter Bunny are becoming more popular here, but mostly because of the influence of expats (just like Thanksgiving is becoming popular here and so is Black Friday). I am not sure what tomorrow will bring as far as Easter egg hunts or beach goers, but one thing I will probably count on is that tomorrow will be a very big day for church goers.
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