Palm Sunday in Cobán

We had heard that Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter) can be pretty full on in Latino countries. We weren't sure where we would end up during the week, but knew that in many places finding accomodation can be hard since it is the biggest holiday of the year. So we were relieved and excited to be in Cobán staying with the firefighters for Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Semana Santa. After filling up at a buffet for breakfast, we headed to the central square and waited as the preparations gave way to the procession. Many streets were covered in alfumbras, or carpets, made from dyed wood shavings that the procession would walk over. The work to produce these alfumbras is detailed and careful, and the resulting designs are beautiful and varied. Many people were dressed in a variety of costumes, including as Roman soldiers, in long cloaks or in suits. A giant float made of wood - requiring close to 100 people to carry it - with a statue of Christ carrying the cross was brought into the church, blessed, then carried around the streets for over 12 hours. At the fire station they were expecting the procession around 11 pm. We hung out with some of the firefighters while the alfumbras were getting finished on our street, then wandered around to see the different alfumbras along the road leading up to the fire station. Around 9 pm it began to rain, and the dye in the wood shavings started to run as rivulets of water flowed down the streets. Karl stayed up to see the procession go by in the pouring rain, on the home stretch back toward the church. It didn't look all that enjoyable to carry the giant float and others as well through the sopping streets, but if we can say anything it is that people's dedication to religious traditions here is unwavering.Read more