The Procession

La Fiesta de la Guadalupana continues. At 1pm the procession that started at Puente de Fraile was to reach the Parroquia de San Antonio. After doing our usual Saturday morning at the organic market (it's mostly about seeing people and chatting - and buying a few vegetables), we turned the corner to walk down the the Parroquia de San Antonio. We soon found the street full of vaqueros on horseback, 4-5 abreast, who had ridden from their rancheros out in the campo. Many of the horses were clearly ill at ease on the rock and cobblestone streets, as it is slippery to them. The vaqueros carried flags of their ranches. Ahead of them was a long procession of people who had walked from Puente de Fraile, or even further. This was a solemn and patient group, many carrying family statues of the Virgen, or photographs or paintings that they had in their home. There were many small children in the best village traditional dress. At the parroquia, there was a festive atmosphere with bands, singing, food vendors, but a solemn atmosphere with praying, singing, prayer and veneration. We saw one young woman who made the journey on her knees, with a parent on each side of her. She even went up the steps to the parroquia on her knees. This is a very meaningful tradition to the people here. This evening, there will be more bands, dancing, more fireworks, more fireworks, and did I mention more fireworks.