Good Friday. Today we went down to Centro Historico to see what was going on. There are 7 Catholic churches on one street there so we figured there would be something going on. We got in the cab and told him where we wanted to go and he said no - it is closed for procession....but we can walk in. On the way there was no traffic, no people walking around, no stores open!! When we got there is was busy, busy, busy!! People all over the place. We walked up a few blocks (up a huge hill that is) and ran into the procession. There were so many people. We believe they were saying the rosary as they walked - most likely doing the stations of the cross too. We watched for a bit and then walked at least 6 blocks (up and down huge hills!) to get to the end of the procession. There was also a huge statue of the Virgin Mary that passed by. It was beautiful - full of roses and people were throwing more flowers at it. We decided to get lunch and we found a beautiful restaurant that was in the Arch Bishops residence. Part of his home was made into shops and restaurants. We were on the 3rd floor of an open air courtyard. It was beautiful and delicious. It took at least 2 hours for lunch and when we came out and walked towards the Presidential Palace and here come the procession again!!! We believe the Virgin Mary was being taken to the Cathedral which is right next to the Presidential Palace. It was amazing how many people were there. It started to sprinkle and Danni was falling asleep in my arms as we walked so we went to find a cab. There were blocks and blocks and blocks of people walking behind the Virgin Mary. Hayden thinks there were 100,000 people walking in the procession and another 100,000 just there watching. It was amazing and beautiful. It was a fabulous Friday afternoon. Tonight we are home resting up as tomorrow we are going to the zoo!!!
Emma and Danni also colored Easter eggs tonight. Danni kind of gave us weird looks when we told him to color and put stickers on eggs but he eventually went at it. It think one of his eggs has at least a dozen stickers on it! It wasn't the same as dying them at home but I think Emma enjoyed it. She is looking forward to me hiding chocolate on Sunday! Again, not the same as at Brian and Janet's but she is exctied for it. Hasta manana! Mari
PS...I also beat Hayden in Scrabble tonight by 100 points!! Don't tell him I told you!! :)
