Where There's a Will. . .There's a Way! April 2012

Cihuatlán, Jalisco library - on the hoof.

Compliments the Cihuatlán, Jalisco FB website.

¡Feliz Pascua! - Happy Easter! April 2012

Every year at this time,

the Lake Chapala area hosts

thousands of visitors

for the two week Easter blowout celebration

known as Semana Santa.

The Passion Plays of Ajijic

and San Antonio Tlayacapan

are one of our biggest attractions and

go on for days with elaborate costumes

and sets.  
They take place in the church and the

streets of the villages.  
The "crucifixion" of Christ 

used to take place up on the mountain
and everyone hiked it the blazing sun
while Jesus dragged a giant cross
made of wooden 4X4s.
They had to relocate the scene due to
one year Jesus fainting 4 times on the way up.

The carrying of His body down in an

elaborate procession accompanied by the

the droning slow beat of a lone mournful drum

is VERY emotional.

The acting is wonderful.

This year I walked the Palm Sunday Procession

in my little village of San Antonio Tlayacapan.

Here are a few pictures.

The posters were up; excitement was in the air.

Sunday morning we found the players assembling in

front of the church and under the Jacaranda trees.

Townspeople made handicrafts commemorating

Palm Sunday and sold them for 15 pesos/about 1.15US.

Palm branches were handed out to everyone.

The faithful trickled in and we assembled

waiting for Jesus and the the Padre to arrive.

The kids are ALWAYS the cutest.

Jesus arrives.

The Padre, the guitarist, the sound system, and the

altar boys arrive.

Showtime!

We pause for blessings.

Villagers join the procession as we pass

along the narrow cobbled streets.

Live scenes are scattered along the route.

The procession has swelled!

Awaiting Jesus's arrival at the church.

Jesus arrives and Mass begins.

HAPPY EASTER!

Post Script:

This year, and for the last several years, Jesus was

portrayed by a young man from the village who,

in his real life, is an insurance agent. . .

which lead my friend Barb to comment. . .

You may have God as your copilot,

but I have Jesus as my insurance agent!

I win.