Bringing out the Silver ware ' Fiesta

Wonderful Surprise,
We had only planned to go to Sucre for the Tarabucco Market which runs on a sunday. As it turns out there was a great little festival Virgin of Guadelupa which consists of a 2 day celebration of dance, song and silver ware. The festival includes regions from Sucre, Potosi and Tupazi. This is a big mining town and hence the custom for bringing out the silverware.

So we arrived in Sucre (unesco listed town for its colonial buildings = hidden under miles of wires and cabling) in the wee hours of the morning after the ride from hell (refer to previous entry). And then make our way of to the chosen hostel close to the town centre. Its rather comforting when there is a sign on the wall that warns Gringo´s from being ripped off by the bogus taxi. Unfortunately we weren´t able to get dropped off at the door due to blockages on the roads. So we arrive at the hotel and after some pidgeon negotiations agree to accept the room which is on the ground floor and opposite the frount door and near the sitting area. As it turns out while it wasn´t the ideal location for sleeping at least it had to main benefits were fulfiled, we had close access to the parade pathway without actually being on the main drag and most importantly a place to sleep, because so many people got turned away afeter us.

So what is the festival all about , apparently the first night is about reading some poetry and polishing up the silver. There is a mini parade and the buffing up of the Image, any one who has ever being to a religious based festival will know that its all about the image. As it turns out this is one expensively bedecked Virgin with gold and silver inlay in the painting. Shame they had to ruin it by placing cheap christams lights around the top. Still it is rather ... luminescent.

So we managed to secure a great spot to witness the parade on both days. Lots of great folk music with huge brass, drum and pipping bands to accompany the troups of dances. The costumes seem to fall into 5 types, ' The cowboy and flamenco dancer´(classy), ´Colourful Traditional (or what the hell was i thinking), Indian and Scarey Dudes costumes (requiring great strength and sense of humility) and the Sexy Outfits with Boys in Bells. Occasionally you would see these women with the more subdued costumes, full skirts, bowller hats and plaits which looked great. The other unique thing about the festival is that you could prebook a spot on the curb, which after a small break we tried to make it back to the spot we were on and were promptly ousted by the ticket holder.

The only other intresting thing about Sucre is they possess the best chocolcate in Bolivia (Para Ti ) which was nice and the bes Chinese Resteraunt we´ve ever been to in ages. We also managed to eat our first sample of market stall food with no ill affects, it was a little disconcerting to have some withered old crone eye off my burger while i walked away. I have no compassion.

Off again to a new place

love Evana & Greg

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