Semana Santa Carpets

My parents were here visiting for Semana Santa, Holy Week this April. WOW. That is all I really have to say about it. Pictures cannot come close to doing this event justice. It was really one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. And unique things. For the week and even some of the days of the weeks leading up to Holy Week, people create these rugs, or in Spanish, alfombras, on the streets. They close off all the streets in Antigua where the processions are going to be that will go over the alfrombras. People sometimes stay up all night creating these alfombras, which are then trampled on by these processions and destroyed within minutes. It's such a sight to see and you can walk around all days watching them being created. They first start by putting down the color of the background of the alfombra. The sawdust is colored and sifted through these pan type of things. Then they begin with the stencils working on the borders or the inside parts. This rug has the main purple color down and people are working on the border.

Here is a close up so you can see the design of the border. They either use a plastic spoon or just their fingers to sprinkle the sawdust in the stencil.

An action shot of making the border in the stencil.

Then while working on the inside of the carpet, the people have to have these boards up that they lay or squat on while they work, since you can't stand on the carpet itself after the colored layer is put down.

Here is a rug nearing completion.

These two guys were having quite the time working on their rug, laughing away. I was quite surprised not to see one of them fall off the board!

Even my mom got in on the action, helping out some friends of mine that were making a carpet in front of their store!

They have these water packs that spray water to keep the sawdust in place as you are making the carpets. Dad got in on the water action!!!

If any of you ever get a chance to visit Guatemala for Easter week, please go to Antigua. It was crowded and crazy and a little weird at times, but it was really one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen. Pretty cool. I'm glad my parents were here at this time and I got to experience it with them!