In general, walking home from school is on of my favorite things in Xela. I get out of school at the same time as the local kids, so I walk home through a sea of Catholic school uniforms. Most of the kids hang out in the street, chatting and buying snacks. Some boys start street scoccer games. The sweethearts pair off, and walk home holding hands. The kids in bands have impromptu concerts.Today, when I walked outside I was greeted by this procession. These sorts of parades are pretty common. Saints are very popular with assimiated Mayan people, as I explained in this entry. Every saint has their own day, and their own group of followers. On the saint's day the followers carry the idol through the streets, from and to the church, or from one house to another, since the saint confers blessings on the house where it resides. There´s usually people in traditional costume, incense, and chanting or a marching band.
I absolutely adore the marching bands here. Sometimes the bands will have a competition. Two marching bands will march through the city, starting on opposite ends and meeting in the middle of the city for a showdown. The bands here rival the best high school bands in the States. They all have a drill team, a color guard and a full band. They usually have immaculate suits, with smart little hats and matching knee-high boots. The band for the procession, which was dressed in purple, really reminded me of Garfield. Where's a big furry mascot when you need one?
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