Dia de Indepencia!

So, I used to think that the 4th of July was cool.

Our celebrations pales in comparison to Guatemala's!

Independence Day is a two day operation here (longer if you live further from Antigua).  My observations of it were, in general, lots of community, lots of traditions, lots of costumes, and lots of loud explosions.  It was great!

The day began on the 14th (Dia de Indepencia is the 15th) with a parade of children walking down the streets of San Juan Del Obisbo (or any other small town, I suppose).  They were in fascinating costumes that I didn't really understand... all black with black cardboard "cars" over their heads, white wedding dresses, large animal costumes... they had it all.  After the parade, everyone went to the central park where it seemed that everyone for miles was gathered and they had music playing from a stereo in the back of a truck as well as from miscellaneous marching bands.

Then, the older schools and private schools (evidently, the president outlawed the public schools due to the economic crisis) ran a torch from their school to Antigua.  This included us.  So, we lit the torch and we went for a 5k run to Antigua.

Teachers came along side on motorcycles handing out water that we couldn't figure out how to open

That night, there was a big festival in the park in San Juan (and once again, I suppose that is true for many other communities).  It included lots of motivational speakers applauding Guatemala as a country as they simultaneously pointed out the injustices and encouraged those to be remedied, the national anthems (it seems like there are more than one here), school groups performing, and numerous other events.  This fiesta went way past my Guatemala bedtime (approx 9pm)... which is quite impressive.

This crepe paper balloon had a candle go inside it and floated in the air drifting in the wind in the atmosphere.  The only downside was the one attempt where the balloon burst into flames only 30 ft above everyone and little fireballs fell down very close to Andrew...  yet another thing probably not allowed in the US

Lots of people in the evening festivities...

In the morning of the actual holiday, they had a parade in Antigua (which I missed because of my trip to Pacaya) and numerous activities and lots of energy throughout the town of Antigua.  One of my favorite things was the mime... he was performing in the middle of the street, and within no time, there were loads of people surrounding him and blocking the street... the best part: no one cared!   I love the community feeling around here...