Semana Santa in Antigua
Holy Week in Antigua is a very special time of year. The processions and sawdust carpets, Roman soldiers and funeral dirges are a reverent way to reflect on your faith and witness the grandiosity of what it all represents. Tourists flock to Antigua to be a part of it all, but not this year.
Semana Santa processions were official canceled in the departments of Sacatepéquez and the capital department of Guatemala this year due to the pandemic and the desire to maintain social distancing — something impossible during Semana Santa!
Luckily for our group, there were still some opportunities to witness aspects of Holy Week even without the elaborate processions, and to enjoy the beauty of Antigua.
La Merced
The Merced is a church on the north side of Antigua, and it was one location that had an alfombra and some statues on display. The church allowed visitors to enter as long as 6 ft. of distance remained between each visitor.
Purple, the color of Lent
Purple and white banners decorated many of the homes, businesses, restaurants, hotels and churches in Antigua. The excitement of Lent was everywhere, even if there were no processions. Even the trees in Central Park were purple!
Other staples of Antigua Guatemala…
There are so many elements of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, a grid of calles and avenidas… one never tires of Antigua. We visited the Santa Catalina arch, the Carmen ruins, and the souvenir mecca (Nim Po’t).
We also stopped by the artisans market and chicken bus terminal on the west side of town!
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.