Silent Procession

Thursday night is very important during Semana Santa. Everyone always says, if there is one procession to see, it is the silent procession on Thursday night. The procession leaves the church at midnight and travels around the city past 4AM Friday morning. Nicole and I left the house around 11:30 to go find a spot to watch the procession, the streets were filled with people everywhere. It was crazy how many people were out and about, it was hard to walk down the main roads. We found a spot on a little side street where the procession traveled and waited till 1AM for the procession to get there. It was really unique. All the restaurants shut off their lights, and the street lights turn off, and everyone watches in silence as the penitentes (people with the tall hats) walk through the streets carrying candles. The only noise was a single drum, leading the procession and keeping everyone in step. It was pretty cool because I had never seen anything like it before. Plus, I got to be front row so I really got to engage myself. Some of the penitentes had chains around their feet to "punish" themselves as they walked through the streets. There were also las mujeres de mantilla, which are women who wear all black with a black vail, traditional of Semana Santa. The procession lasted for about a half hour, and then Nicole and I found another one nearby to watch. We eventually ended up back at the house pretty late, but it was worth it!

Chains