Merida Day 18 - first day of Semana Santa

Trying to beat the heat again, we were up and out of the house early and down to the Plaza Grande. Just like every Sunday, it was full of people and the stalls all being set up. We split up from Mum and Dad and first noticed a large group of children, all in black T shirts.

They had white skull masks and some were holding placards with extinct animals in coffins. Some of the kids were dressed as animals.

They paraded around the square, preceded by a band and their placards roughly translated to "save my family"

The Cathedral area was a mass of people, all of them with palm leaves braided, sculpted, with flowers or jewels attached. Stalls were set up to sell the beautifully crafted palm symbols. Today is the first Sunday of  Semana Santa, leading up to Easter Sunday, next weekend. Many Mexicans have a two week holiday over Easter but it has been explained to us that the first week is very spiritual and the second week is for taking a vacation. It will be interesting to see how the city changes over these 2 weeks but for now, palm symbols are being carried by many.

Inside the Cathedral there were many people, most clustered around the priest who was making his way through the church sprinkling holy water on them.
We wandered through the market stalls admiring the hipiles, jewelry, leather work, straw hats and purses and wooden toys.

We walked up Calle 60 which is closed to traffic on Sunday and went inside another church. Although this had no name plate or historic plaque outside I think it was the The Iglesia de Jesus. The walls were all painted, the ceilings ornate and it was by far the most decorated church we have seen.

There were lilies on either side of the centre aisle

Close up of the painted walls.

After wandering a little up 60 we returned for a cervesa and surprise, surprise Mum and Dad joined us for one shortly after. By then the heat was getting up there so we caught the bus. George and I got off at Parque Sandiago and picked up avocados and mangos in the market and some other groceries at the Super Aki. Home for lunch, swim and our usual lazy afternoon. After supper we returned to Centro hoping to see some dancing but just missed the final performance, so walked around a bit again.
The children's parade had left their slogans and signs lying in the park.

We walked back to the bus via the covered passage next to the Cathedral. This is where the Museum of Contemporary Art is and there are many sculptures there. It is quite hot in there during the day so we walked through, taking advantage of the cooler evening temperatures.