semana santa

In Guatemala, Semana Santa - Holy Week - is a big event.  The whole country stops for a few days while rich people escape Guatemala City, the faithful Catholics organize processions, and everyone from rich to poor gathers with family.  We decided to taste it all...

The Cayes of Belize, off the coast of Guatemala.  Under that water were lots of fish and coral, which we flipped around with snorkels exploring for two days.  Pure joy!  Sun and color and swimming.  And for dinner, the fried fish our boat captain caught by hand line...

Waiting on this strip of sand for the tropical storm coming our way.  Shared a bunk in a bungalow with the most hospitable Italian family for the night after the drenching rains and wind knocked our tent right over.

Frigate birds turn our eyes skyward where the Rio Dulce meets the Caribbean Sea...elusive grace.  The abundance of water, jungle, and sun slows life on this side of Guatemala...from the easy-going Garifuna town of Livingston to the quiet Mayan villages hugging the riverbank...all except the enormous vacations homes and their yacht-driving owners.

Two days kayaking the gorge of Rio Dulce - trying to get close to the flighty egrets, twisting back into the jungle on an eerily still river with birds and wind making our presence seem very small, waving to the fishermen in their wooden dugout cayucos, and feasting at the lodge at the of the day.  Perhaps the truest jungle moment came when we found a hand-sized tarantula in the bathroom one night, seeking shelter from the tropical rain...

Wandering the streets of Antigua to see the art each family makes in the streets, preparing the ground for the processions that will weave their way through the city from 6pm until 4am, carrying the Virgin and Christ on a pilgrimage.  Never before had we seen such a tranquil and joyful gathering of so many Guatemalans...something between a carnival and a deeply religious gathering.

Creating beauty, the whole family, that will stand for a few hours before the night comes.  The streets are filled with families, warmth, shared joy...the generous sharing of ephemeral beauty.

Steven has more photos of Guatemala on his website...www.stevengnamphotography.com...