This is going to be a short post, but I think Semana Santa was interesting enough that it warranted it's on post.
Semana Santa translates to Holy Week and it is a big deal in Catholic-dominant countries like Peru. I was lucky to have the experience of being in Arequipa during Semana Santa of 2018. If you'd like an overview of what Semana Santa is, I recommend checking out this website.
When my friend and I walked into the town, there was a special energy in the square. We did not know it at the time, but we had arrived in Arequipa in the midst of very special celebrations. There were big stages set up around the square and people flocked to the area. For a few days, there was a feeling of anticipation, but we didn't know what we were waiting for.
Then, one night, as we went to go shopping on the main street that was filled with boutiques, we quickly noticed that something was different. There was nobody on the streets. The road was no longer light up as we had seen the day before, and the absence of light became increasingly unsettling. We couldn't quite put on finger on what was wrong and then we noticed it. All the stores were closed. It felt like we were transported into another city; instead of Arequipa, we were in a ghost town.
Just as we were about to turn around and walk back to our hostel, we heard singing. We paused and listened as it grew louder and louder, filling the silence of the night. Then, rounding the corner a few blocks down we saw lights.
In a parade of sorts, people were walking towards us holding torches, wearing traditional religious clothing, and carrying massive statues. There was a band playing instruments and marching down the streets. But unlike the parades I'm used to, nobody stopped to watch. Instead, as the procession passed, people from the streets joined in and walked alongside the floats, and the band, and the singers. Not a single person was standing still and every type of person was joining the parade. There were young children, elderly people, pregnant women, teenagers, families, and everyone in between. Many of them were holding candles as they walked and were sharing their lights.
My friend and I were swept up in the crowd and joined the procession to the square. There, we marveled at the ornate statues and floats. Their gold embellishments sparkled in the dark night and people marveled at them.
When my friend and I left the square, the people were still there. I'm not sure how it ended, but it left a lasting impression with me. I was even more stunned to see the next morning, that everything was gone as though the procession never occurred. I took a few quick videos during the night, but it felt wrong to be recording during this special moment for so many Peruvians. I've added the media I captured, but hope this story can convey what I couldn't record, and I hope you too get to experience a Semana Santa someday.
What's Next...
This post covers just a portion of my journey. I have so much more to share! Stayed tuned and subscribe for notifications about my upcoming blog posts. I'll be talking about...............
-Colca Canyon and it's Condors
-The City of Arequipa
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