The Virgin of Guadelupe
Trip Start
Oct 05, 2009
1
21
177
Trip End
Ongoing
Mexico City, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, Mexico
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Mexican catholics have just celebrated the Virgin of Guadelupe feast day, the country´s single biggest religous event. It feels like half of Mexico made the pilgrimage to the Basilica in the capital. Its a total fiesta and party atmosphere. Mexicans young and old come to enjoy themselves and seek miracles and forgiveness. Many indiginous tribes from all over the country gather outside the basilica to dance for hours in feathers, animal skins and different costumes; incense and drums all add to the experience.
Stacks of pilgrims finish the final few meters on their knees and in some cases the last few miles. A lot of bleeding knees and crying is quite some sight. Added to that were miles of tat stalls (they are masters of tat over here), and snack bars (ditto).
Weird sights like punks carrying enormous pictures and plaster of paris statues of the Virgin, young couples snogging in the Basilica - they´re some of the best public snoggers I´ve ever seen.
The last 2 days of the fesival there´s masses being said 24/7, in the Basilica which holds 40000 and has a moving walkway to allow people to get close to the Virgin. What a day!
