Punta Mita or Punta De Mita Mexico Welcomes You to Punta Mita Peter and Paul day

PUNTA MITA
Semana Santa

Semana Santa celebrates the last days of Christ's life, Holy Week-Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday, and Pascua the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection, Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday. It is also the release from the sacrifices of Lent.

In many cities and towns, important religious images from the church will be displayed, traditional altars are decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and palm crosses will be found everywhere.

The most moving event of Semana Santa is the reenactment of the Passion of Christ, or the Passion Play. These are sponsored by religious or community groups, and can include large processions of penitents, sometimes on their knees, a portrayal of the last supper and the crucifixion itself.

Aside from the religious events, this two week period is the time for vacationing. Most schools are closed for the entire two weeks, and many workers are off at least one week, if not both. The atmosphere is festive, with people taking to the streets and traveling long hours to camp on the beach enjoying the great spring climate, fresh air and warm ocean waters.

There are no Easter bunnies however; one of the most prominent Semana Santa customs is breaking cascarones, colored eggs stuffed with confetti, over the heads of friends and family. The good luck begins when the egg is lightly smashed on an unwitting person's head.

Homes are filled with the sounds of happy family gatherings. The beaches are packed with families camping in tents, eating in the shade of palapas, and some brave teenagers simply sleeping in the sand. Families stay up singing or playing music until the wee hours of the morning.

Vendors are busy selling kites, tubes and other floating devices, T-shirts, beach towels, hats and sun glasses. Many local families set up puestos on the beach selling fresh coconuts, fruits including mangos on a stick a favorite, covered with lime juice and chili powder.

After the holidays all will come to an end. The tents will fold and the tourists will all return to their homes. The vendors and puestos will disappear and people will do their best to clean up the aftermath. A formidable task..............

The "expats" come out of their homes where they have been sequestered. Peace and quiet finally return, as always good things must come to an end.

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