As the week neared its close, I went out for one last look at a procession. The last one is on Easter Sunday and I want to emphasize the costaleros, the invisible men who carry the paso (float) on their shoulders through the streets. The costaleros are an incredibly important part of the event and I was able to focus on them today. It is a coveted role and not for the meek- or the weak.
They don't actually cover their eyes during the carry but rather, the headcushion slides back once the weight of the structure is on the neck and shoulders.
The teams have pre-determined changeover points where fresh carriers provide a respite.
They look fresh - they're getting ready to start their session.
These guys on the other hand, are flush-faced, sweating, and glad for the break.
I suspect the back of this man's neck will be a lot redder as the day progresses.
This is what one looks like for training during the winter. Big concrete slabs serve as the substitute for silver and gold. (Source: Wikipedia. Used in accordance with Creative Commons copyright notice).
Many believers touch the paso as it passes.
And the special folks settle into the reserved boxes for the best view of all.
On they walk slowly through the narrow streets by the hundreds. When they stop to maintain spacing.......
...small children will approach hoping for either wax, or candy, or small cards with pictures of favorite biblical persona.
Building a wax ball, one drip at a time.
I know that look. It's not penitence - yet.
Somehow, I don't think this young boy running through the candle arch was an approved practice.
And at the end of the final day, all that remains is a path that stretches for miles through the city highlighted by millions of drips of candle wax. And beginning after midnite, I could hear the municipal steam trucks beginning to clean up the wax.
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