Happy Easter everybody!

Since I will be missing the U.S. version of Easter, I expect you all to save some egg painting and creme chocolate eggs for me! :)
Seems like they don't any of that Easter basket and Easter bunny stuff here, unfortunately. Sounds like everyone just goes to church and spends time with their families. Also, almost everyone is off work for Holy Week and the week after, so a lot of people go on vacations and spend a lot of time at the beach. So, I have been avoiding the beach because of the massive crowds! All the more time to get some real work done, right? Hmm...

For Good Friday, our group went to a Passion Play/Stations of the Cross in a little town, Acanceh, about 30 minutes outside of Merida. The program is done by local people, mostly for local people (very few non-Mexican tourists), is done entirely outside, and the crowd literally follows the re-enactment around the village. It was really a unique experience. The lack of an adequate sound system and the 109 degree F heat made it a bit trying after a couple hours, but it was definitely worth seeing.
Since we couldn't really hear what the actors were saying, I just guessed what was happening.

I think this was the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. I can't even imagine how uncomfortable all those people dressed up as the townspeople were, especially wearing those cloths on their heads. Yikes!

 Jesus with Pontius Pilate.

Jesus with the guards bringing on Barbarus. Notice everyone with their umbrellas for protection from the sun!

Jesus carrying the cross through the town.

Jesus falls the first time.

Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem.

Jesus and the two thieves on crosses. It was an odd situation because right behind the crosses are the ruins of a Mayan temple. A unique juxtaposition of cultures.

It was impressive to see how this little town with not a whole lot of resources arranged and performed this detailed and lengthy Passion Play.