Monday in Antigua

Things are much calmer today than yesterday.  There is only one small parade tonight.  People are resting after yesterday and getting ready for the rest of the week.

This is the arch street.

The security is greatly increased in Antigua this week.  There are armed police every couple of blocks. There are several large groups of military men walking through the streets.

This is the only parade of the day. It started at 6pm and passed by the park about 8pm.  These people started the procession.  Not wanting people to know who they are since they are going to be arresting Jesus.

The police and military watch as the parade continues.

This is the procession as it rounded the corner.  It takes 30 people to carry this cargo.  The largest one will need 100 men to carry it.  There are also some that children and women carry. It is an honor to help carry one and people pay to participate in the processions.

They rock the cargo from side to side to make it easier to carry.  It finally made the turn.

At the end of the processions, there is always the clean-up crew.  They carry shovels and brooms to clean up the mess left behind by the people in the streets.

Antigua will be busting even more later during the week.  This is just the start of the week-long celebration.