Clark-Peterek Belize

Village Tour

On Tuesday, we loaded up and headed out to a few of the surrounding villages.  Our first stop was the village of San Juan del Obsipo where we toured the Archbishop’s Palace, a beautiful colonial style church and museum with a wonderful view of Antigua.  Next was the village of San Pedro Las Huertas. This village’s church is a beautiful combination of several architecture styles.  The town square was alive with activity, and women were busy doing laundry at the public clothes washing sinks called lavaderos.  Finally we arrived in San Antonio Aguas Caleintes, a village known for some of the finest authentic Maya textiles.  We learned about traditional Maya clothing, how it’s made, as well as its meaning, importance, cultural significance, and history.  We enjoyed some local coffee and shopping.  This was a great opportunity to get to know some of the surrounding areas of Antigua. 

Archbishop's Palace




San Pedro Las Huertas



San Antonio Aguas Caleintes

Touring Antigua

On Monday we had planned to attend Antigua Cooking School, but the class was canceled due to illness, so we toured around Antigua and did a little shopping. 

Our day included stops at various shops around town, as well as the Local Market and Artisans Market, where vendors sold everything from traditional Maya Masks, textiles, fruits, vegetables, jewelry, flowers, pots, and pans.  We also toured Casa del Tejido Antiguo, a museum, market, and workshop all rolled into one.   

We had a nice day touring around Antigua and learning more about this unique town.

The Arch

At the Market

Casa del Tejido Antiguo

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, and it is the day of the Iglesia de La Merced Procession.  The procession represents the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and it includes sculptures of Jesus Nazareno, Virgen de Dolores, and the Saints from La Merced Church.  This procession travels around the main streets of Antigua.

The sculptures are mounted on ornate hand carved platforms or floats.  Thousands of processional carriers, or cucuruchos, participate in this religious tradition.  They pay a small fee and sign up weeks in advance.  The male cucuruchos wear purple robes and white headscarves, while a select few leading the procession where white robes, and the women wear black and white until Good Friday.

 We caught up with the procession just around dusk.  The float carrying Jesus weighs more than 7,000 lbs, and it was carried by 80+ cucuruchos.  Incense filled the air while men dressed as Roman Soldiers walked along the packed processional route.  The cucuruchos usually carry the float about a block, and then a new group takes their turn.  Many cucuruchos rotate in several times during the procession.  About a block behind the men, women carried the smaller float, weighing around 3,000 lbs, with Virgen de Dolores, representing the Virgin Mary grieving over Jesus’ crucifixion.  Two smaller floats carried by four men followed behind the women.  Musicians followed behind each float playing the funeral march.   

The Iglesia La Merced Procession was a cultural touchstone to the significance of the celebration of Santa Semana here in Antigua.  We were truly moved to be a part of this centuries old tradition.