Semana Santa - Huaraz, Peru 2015 - (Part I)
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a big deal in Latin America. There are parades, actually religious processions, starting on Thursday and continuing through Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Part of these processions are the laying of "alfombras" (rugs) on the main streets over which the Good Friday processions pass. We first saw these in Guatemala and were amazed at the skill and work it takes to produce these designs only to have them trodden over by hundreds of marchers and pretty much obliterated.

 

The start of an alfombra. They are mixing coloring into moist sawdust.

Some of the design is laid out in chalk on the street before applying the colored sawdust.

This design depicts Christ carrying the cross.

This little guy appears to be overseeing the job.

"Mom, that guy is taking our picture!"

Here you can see the chalk lines.

Some nice alfombras near the start of the main street. They block off the four lane street through the center of town and lay down these rugs of sawdust. They start early Good Friday morning.

Here is a view up the main street of Huaraz as the alfombras are being prepared. All traffic is blocked off starting early in the morning.

Some alfombras made with flower petals and green leaves.

A closer look at the alfombra with flower petals and green leaves.

Lots of different colored sawdust being mixed up.

Lots of detail in this one.

These alfombras are assembled by volunteers from various organizations and Catholic Church groups. These are mostly youth laying this one out.

Another view further up the street. The lettering "RENOVACION ANCASHINA" is Ancash Renovation. Ancash is the region we live in, about the equivalent of a U.S. state. Probably produced by a government office.

"Nap time" This alfombra was built by San Pedro University.

More photos in the next blog posting.