Antigua, Guatemala: Semana Santa (The Holy Easter Week)

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For a reminder that the Catholic faith is alive and strong come to Antigua during the Easter week. Unfortunately the grandness of what is on display here during Easter week has not gone unnoticed and attracts huge tourist crowds - tripling room prices for the week (if you are lucky enough to find one) and attracting scores of pickpockets and thieves to relief these tourists of their wallets and cameras.

But it is all worth it; the display is nothing short of spectacular. The most visible aspect of Semana Santa are the processions, which occur several times a day and last from several hours up to 12 hours. Dressed in deep purple or black robes the processions make their way through the streets. Walking no faster than crawling speed and accompanied by the rhythmic beating of drums adds to the awesome and meditative atmosphere of these religious marches. The faces of many of the faithful participants are vividly moved (not infrequently crying or in deep reflection); although I did see people talk on their cell phones as well. Incense streaming from filled containers wraps the procession in a magical coat and gives a special reverence to the heavy carriage filled with religious symbology.

But there is more: colorful and flowerful alfombras (picturesque constellations of flowers) fill the streets whose inhabitants have stayed up all night working on their assembly.

Added to this, the colonial cuteness of the beautifully located Antigua surrounded by its massive volcanoes towering over this town, makes the trip worth every minute.