Semana Santa

We had this cool experience in the town of Guaranda over Easter weekend. We heard about a nighttime procession and headed out to the church to check it out. The square in front of the church was filled with several thousand people, and when the procession finally started everyone slowly filed in and filled the spaces between the priests and nuns and the figures of Mary and Jesus that were being carried. Everyone had candles, and though there were tons of people and families with kids the city was hushed as we walked through the streets. Everyone walked in silence or speaking in quiet tones, then someone would decide to start singing. After the first verse you could hear the song spread through the procession as everyone joined in. We were next to several older señors who were walking arms linked and really belting out the songs, harmony and everything. After the song there would be silence for while until someone started to sing again. It was really beautiful and powerful; amazing to see thousand of people coming together in peace to honor this holiday with candles and song.