Don Gabriel the hotel owner passes away, a post from Jessie

We were surprised at how soon after Don Gabriel´s death all of this was done. The other interesting experience was a very slow moving procession from the church to (but not into) an imposing building that is used only during Holy Week, and back to the church. I joined the procession as it went past our hotel the first time. People with incense came first, then a platform with a large statue of Jesus and a small statue of Mary, then six nuns dressed in white and carrying candles, then the loud speaker system, and then about 250 people. All the women were in traditional dress. At each corner, the platform was lowered, and everyone knelt while scripture was read by one of the nuns, then a small homily, the Lord´s Prayer, and Hail Mary. No one carried rosaries. Then singing. Then the platform was again lifted and some very out-of-tune music was played. Everyone rose and walked slowly to the next corner, where this was repeated with new scripture and songs. Although I was the only gringo, and the only woman in slacks, no one looked at me or gave any indication I wasn´t welcome. It was very nice walking with all of these indigenous Guatemalans. Although the distance was, in all, perhaps a mile, I walked an hour and 45 minutes, and missed the first and last part of the procession.

Jessie Strauss