We couldn´t have timed our arrival better if we tried. Our bus from Mexico City got to San Miguel about 7 p.m. on Friday. We took a taxi to Laura´s house, got the keys and the tour and quickly headed out to a celebration.
On the Friday before Palm Sunday, Guanajuato residents create shrines to the Virgin Mary. They range from very simple to gigantic and elaborate. Most use candles, flowers, oranges and chamomile. We´re not exactly sure why. The entire town came out to see them and kids collected sweets at every stop.
This is a colonial town and it´s lovely. The streets are all cobblestone, the architecure is beautiful and there are lots of nooks and crannies to explore.
Oh, and, of course, there is food! This lady made me a pre-breakfast snack for one peso, which isn´t worth converting into cents.
2 comments:
That top picture is great! looks like alot of fun.. Very jealous!
Lucky you to arrive in San Miguel de Allende on one of the nicest nights of the year. The "Viernes de Dolores," the Friday of Sorrows, is to remember the sorrow of the Virgin on the death of her son. The bitter oranges represent her tears, the chamomile her purity. The wheatgrass is a sign of growth and rebirth. It is grown in small pots in the dark so it comes up almost white. When it is put on the altars in the light, it begins to "green up," signifying rebirth.
It's a favorite night of the year for many in San Miguel de Allende, including me.
If your readers would like to know more about San Miguel and especially about Semana Santa and everything you'll be seeing in the next week there, they can visit:
http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-allende.com/semana-santa.html
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