Considering 400+ years of conquest

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S 16º 23.578 / W 071º 30.984

From the somber mood on Good Friday, the Arequipeños came out in full procession from the main Cathedral to one just down the road. The faithfull crowds, with candle´s in hand outlined the route which the Cross of Christ was to lead, along with the Virgin Mary - in a much more elaborate and magestic promendade. All of this, with the masses and the elite of the Roman catholic Church in Arequipa in tow...

Along the procession route, the police, national guard, explosives details, fire brigade accompanied the wide variety of food, beverage and other assorted vendors - in an almost carnival-like ambiance.

Sunday morning four years ago, I found myself at Notredame in Paris for the Easter Mass. It seemed like the passion of Christ had left the old world to find new and profound beleivers in the new world.

This morning at six, I headed out to try and shoot some of the volcanoes sans smog - to no avail...

However, I did find my way into the BURNING OF JUDAS which was quite a celebration of the people followed with a figurative blood letting of political and social angst, frustration and desperation.

Once the Cross of Christ Risen entered the smaller cathedral in an outlaying town, the Virgin followed - and in the same manner i observed last night, the faitfull brought Her into the Church backwards - with her faceing the crowd. The Local Bishop or Archbishop said a few words, which were muttered by the roar of anticipation of the crowd, that ended the ´relegious´ part of the event.

With more and more people gathering in the plaza de armas, an effigy of Presidente Toledo was brought out, wearing a typical vest in the red, white, red bicolours of the Peruvian flag. The announcer proceeded to say ¨ i am judas escariott, a pennitant and remorsefull sinner - for that I am ashamed.... then the announcer let into President Toledo, his wife, the cabinet (corrupt by most standards), the former VP (a murdering, mafioso which left after the former president - and soon to be next president Fujimori left Peru to reside in Japan - as an exile, in political protection of the Nippon government). The remainder of the 90 minutes was perhaps unfamiliar in terms of specific names, but the sentiment was evident with either dissent or applause from the crowd.

All this ended with the BURNING of JUDAS - TOLEDO....

Amazing how the USA exported, covertly - democracy to South America, and now it seems to have taken on it´s own flavor, and streamlined function with the Roman Catholic Church as the protector of the poor, opressed and well, whatever it may be.

An amazing day in a wonderful town with beutifull people -

peace and love from 7,300 feet

juan

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Photos

Plaza de Armas
with the surrounding buildings made of local volcanic material

The Procession commenced
saturday night, somewhere around 8pm and ended -

The Main Cathedral
is where the procession started - it is a majestically - white and ornate structure

view from the plaza de armas
of the cathedral

la catedral
from a slightly different light and perspective

Jesus goes into the Church
on easter morning, and Mary hangs out with the people while the Priest spoke to the crowd, hopefully about the RESURECTED CHRIST

JUDAS TOLDEDO
at the start

JUDAS TOLDEO
kind of in the middle - where he is now, before the elections of 2006

TOLEDO - I MEAN JUDAS
where he will be next year before they bring back the now in-exile Fujimori