![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwwmsw4mvDCLdW73swLL8vCCCbxFQhhHUqU4mmdifZQRyWRKIIjlbdW7fpFFoLTdTELFvhMbPGE6nc41Ygyx_cxL9hesyY0eAtw0EnkOMmr7R5AQC52hyphenhyphenDlR9SwqEqIWWJh8fLFn2taXz/s280/DSC03018_edited-1.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQIdzoXYdLOq7l34z2KXX20xmRMGjxhSPwK82v_vFxTmptTq0vULMTjxVAI6_PFpDbH5FyhoiFZabufbtEHus9uHTN9ozQv_5N9_C_L-vMuPcl4s3_nhgtTV4SnC3wxQCLylmNVTMsbxt/s280/DSC02974_edited-1.jpg)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVldTXegrkKZdIb33urj0r6pW-87fsyKnkpM-zJxpFVwyUqhLf5AzgaiHhunA4LD1-OvRt4Hqg92jfThHQ4hAsIHC34jy56KbIRPHOSUIhaVVh5J3os3ckWv4I8mBMMcN20iV5R1DNHGFi/s280/DSC02977_edited-1.jpg)
The teams have pre-determined changeover points where fresh carriers provide a respite.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHOhurYhm4RkWolRDIYG4Y2-geE1W7eolpFnIwoKV8DiopYQJxImCob9h4xTDHH3ubWurcXPUybtouSPm2ghAAaGO3X6SvwDaw963JTm3hxBiWjekMuAKuRf7EWyHBrh4-XaFH-_54TID/s280/DSC03036_edited-1.jpg)
They look fresh - they're getting ready to start their session.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ1XNfH55MIW9SpXt711_B7ZCGtlIo3Q5PtrSvG2z1hQIawAlnNeG-oLTwbwCyZVJq7DnizZ_vbi0ybeUWyVlXT6qCEguVgafXqfPacPMVAtzjfLWe7HC_KLpz3JeZLh70sRsKgpFFFTf/s280/DSC02995_edited-1.jpg)
These guys on the other hand, are flush-faced, sweating, and glad for the break.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6tH1o6wmdXHltxKQ44rLQKTi3T9fUvYcAud5VsLpejM7A_KPWbfDquv-61kyTbZtZ-94ixPR7X1pzvbwssH9SyNoRvznnKEzibZrTrrhen6H5AtwixGcb0-IgT-124u1NYtqSBQBOwKl/s280/DSC03007_edited-1.jpg)
I suspect the back of this man's neck will be a lot redder as the day progresses.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz8M0BNgfUfCppWdkyhmzDMPevF3eLbS0ApQ2ljd8VOhHuKOBSI5eW638qgPG1lSZB6ONJhfFQXyAngs65lIAb8pRWSpytNjDT7GMqt7HYV8Pa2CuJht2Yn0SlKCDStLsHSOsrnNnjHgn/s280/Costaleros002.jpg)
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).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfc1XCloM1MlPN0S43FmtJdCGiU9ry-x6yExNgtSwoYQnNs0S678WAgkTA5zO3oN3fcz9I95I0tzXAYC03KqVncIBvh3jJTg9obPXCjqGSlQA_EXhMq6jnXEEdU7VtfnAGAEFgaT-0T0a/s280/DSC02984_edited-1.jpg)
Many believers touch the paso as it passes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm59McmFY1n087DkDNF7Gxs70b2V_xghBcOLl7iN5WBUwHWBNNM6Eaw9XjyQCU-3L1sCsra3lWrI1CwqGF7bNXrj_ksQ31MrfQgn5QQDLgUvD3bMTXAAOSt_U-MP_8A-D4ExrSeNXunbb/s280/DSC03019_edited-1.jpg)
And the special folks settle into the reserved boxes for the best view of all.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtYFJ51sg1jxLaHRhBxCWy4da_MsN1bDjd0_2ZWzQPAZVlXV0R-IePdga8HrUBErRKyl6-85eH8ahcMFHWvltrAL61U0P5eWlimiY94vydRE-gcVm3SPARiGuKqj8kmLj3Hzf5HBycTaJ/s280/DSC03014_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d0F_tYcwuRG_w-6oA4qgwHf5FttEkN-1n7d0pMSpoMF6VzGl5YQO88t9eu8TlKxtRiooTcVsLn8jWyWEgd3QvUxPIxdlunwJ2u4DlYzCH8gFRKUZj6dL72LMh-1JemwRluMAvmWxL0Ev/s280/DSC03022_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZa0pD5nchPXrkjoL7IJAfaPYBw137ZPwcMnGOkQWjOQ-Vy2Z-JydOYHZgR1WyPklJxq26Jqh2TDc9igXRjlrM0txI_ntH1qVwJjx59uktmkzQmu0N-lMA9VM8UmHo8fJEMWUkwJYJ3hc/s280/DSC03033_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQXcjKjv2a2yNYIvNxAps74D4-SHC-w7CsRdHaZPUAJaJFaOqp-C-pgERkpeu7p9nC5yxh6KoIXGPpzKHrLRxpd6pYn-sKEazEQP_dy4uiXa4OXt3PeGv8gpdZeI9Fv6cwZqzBSD8UMit/s280/DSC03028_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_LRB7jGf-chIRW61AbwBOPYvsoMT0uZwebtE65HmaPDtSMhTmDXTVFOzDIhn3eNZcT7fWTFmjlZvXWVH4ND4RhkSINAm0GlCLBAWaTtDjaA7ENdaP8V20hpl9tQofloeXqt7Nj59mSNv/s280/DSC03044_edited-1.jpg)
On they walk slowly through the narrow streets by the hundreds. When they stop to maintain spacing.......
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0fY3FYDxUsWKMJlKd2HySZ_wFtXlYNuK3UjdZhLao0M44R1wpJxk81PPbcZXShCjPQ6pe8phRY5_O5vPRhw98wQgy4hGhWmsmz0Vy1lll6DXQ_XV0J1QFpRlitNmQ7CWM4OHNZdMOV1E/s280/DSC03067_edited-1.jpg)
...small children will approach hoping for either wax, or candy, or small cards with pictures of favorite biblical persona.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQM8PKeRIcUBOnkl5jKM9PBGvRLSmFAxWf3NJB7bl__o7f_7oxjeJXi5zdiwTknGcJMcKC8D7G4jvXHmnvJoOEy8Jc9IQ2vBjhJyeSyWSrrj5jWLgeutMRg70sUPu_wEgqsoxrjv47cgw/s280/DSC02952_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1hFntZ7kNJk-6WtyRHdEJOz4j1lAHMBDTvr2bw3qvb-IPURXubvDDmQwyoZVPUlyVOu2cjAQeP_V9Vo9lQW4kYTkK-xmHvi1_jTbJhT11CUaQR8460xgKGECdUxb4ef_VRrY1wifDgA8/s280/DSC02957_edited-1.jpg)
Building a wax ball, one drip at a time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4R6sWeoHR4NQ7Cnn3Xr49l7rm5uwlbcB6xuw42epuFkKNaxBTdH7q119FcUePNfmfCCYnL0hLeaAIBUMv5E6qDMKqxYPS3riieqSHbpBS2Y_c-k4fKc_Z5nGjSSS_blQ81tDIA35AGTF/s280/DSC02979_edited-1.jpg)
I know that look. It's not penitence - yet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuxUtyiMVcXp6HRBePGH4VCYChkCegcMPcsbnF0NoUX1fvj9EJRSrgG3baEG1cJJKlfQV7iMY7w6nyqPKNsQX3d961B7I7-GhWPD1vK1BmYMRq0eNfY20C-SrhZ5wJ1Ero951tuW1OR7Y/s280/DSC02978_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLXlcgjVBfiQCVURNIROSzvWTYFHnXfHXuvZsEyEwYzx0GC7u5hyphenhyphene-5H-0k9-R6UK-zoI7ifUxlyX5PgvOkTkuLb5PB31hMbs0vs97U05JTNTvkh3sdxCQUjhHKg21ktrXX0leF93jcSh/s280/DSC03070_edited-1.jpg)
Somehow, I don't think this young boy running through the candle arch was an approved practice.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGAKz5TrSBySiFYv5VRuRHQ2eDYPsHCZ6yyhkeejctGS7q-I0MTiZ9YTbq-56mFDP4SNySBslS8wEBjGm0I8ne-YPdtwtq2NwFtmMuxRl79AfXjPB6ZM-7qPKztc_DJXJ9Z5rfcseKy_n/s280/DSC03088_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAl9KJ1_qhyak1lZDCZ5RI1tElGsD2nG1vfI01EkrcVstjmdSWa6nOnSiTKRVoyHNgbUD-yVh0L_jTM_iyzeE6ug0bqQTuzzkS0aay_m4bF07YS6BZzW5AalfW84XAOREhMDS186QLFZ1/s280/DSC03099_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2hksMIRuHuCMXbJRpwEra_byfH1hvK_o_IMNJNnYwBiSSfpMpC8mfrums3kfpzEO-hr5a0LofBzhpmdJMn6BfdqJNds5XGi_ani_rVxZiPKqmubfVqED8SYGozX6Hs_L0yMA_mxnwaOO/s280/DSC03106_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKVH3WMQNCzrm2TXnXrl-LCcehfnGv7NOolpsw2rLAZgLExA5cuBu4F1XToTuUkIjqiep3eiFrov0shx0bDqQfDWNI8UVfAjf12BMs2hW7thsbfwJPLqNYH84k0SIrn-U8j10JdrhyphenhyphenDmy/s280/DSC02743_edited-1.jpg)
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment