ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
The crowds flood in from every direction. The week of Semana Santa is a celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Men garbed in robes of purple, red, and black carry mahogany floats depicting images of the suffering Christ through the narrow streets of Antigua en route to one of the designated churches. With heads lowered, up to forty on a side, they shuffle through the cobblestone streets in step to a band marching reverently behind. The people create “carpets” of flowers, fruits, and fronds, the most intricate on the floors of the vestry. In the evening the cathedral is wrapped in purple light penitent faces aglow from the candles.
