Semana Santa in Popayan!

Dear readers,

Remember my last post of Popayan, Colombia? If not, I promised I would write a post about Semana Santa in Popayan, also known as "holy week". The procession in Popayan is the biggest in Colombia and the second biggest of Latin America, so it is quite the experience. I thought it was so honourful of the people to walk the processions and aside from that I really found it beautiful, especially the music and the statues that are carried by the people. To have an impression of this festivity, here some photos:

My nephew hanging prominently on the wall in a hotel :) This picture was made the year before during the processions for the children.

Photo taken inside the church from where the statues are carried out

My brother-in-law carrying a statue!

As you can tell from the pictures, during the procession the story of Jesus Christ is told through the statues. The statues itself are by the way VERY heavy, but the people who carry them feel honoured to do so. That is why there is a long waiting list of people who want to carry the statues.

Since it is a holy week you can watch the processions every day starting from Tuesday until Sunday. Also, on Wednesday there is the children procession which is really nice to see. Unfortunately, since it was raining this year I could only see part of it.

That's it for today's post! Just wanted to give you an insight of what the processions during the holy week are all about! Oh and, if you ever have the chance to see a procession for yourself, DO SO...it is worth it! I know that the ones in Spain, in Colombia and in Guatemala are the nicest and the biggest ones :)

Love, Melissa

Popayan

Dear readers,

I am going to divide my post about Popayan, Colombia in two, because I first want to give you a look into all that I have been up to in Popayan and thereafter I want to give you a peek into celebrating Semana Santa, also known as "Holy Week", in Popayan, which is quite a happening!

The reason why I visited Popayan was because of the fact that my little nephew got baptized there and of all people they chose me to be his godmother, such an honour! So, that was the main reason. Second, because I wanted to experience Semana Santa, but this I will cover in another blog post.

The photos that I will show you now are my most treasurable, since my family and loved ones are in it. I hope you like it!

The first bunch are taken at Calibio. Calibio is this huge house of my brother-in-law's family. It has been in their possession since forever and I can definitely understand why. This place is magical! It is around 1000 hectares and its view is splendid. You can look all the way to Cali. Calibio is a place where his family can come together and enjoy their time off. Aside from that, this place is often rented for big events. For example, he and my sister got married here!

At Calibio, my brother-in-law's family house

Having breakfast

My boyfriend and my nephew LUCA :) Isn't he just BEAUTIFUL?!?!

My nephew Milo, Luca's little brother, the one that got baptized

Luca :)

At "Elejio", another of their event locations

Milo :)

Luca and Martina (his niece) riding a horse

Superman! :P

At Calibio, now for Milo's baptism

Godmother (me!) and Milo

From left to right: my mother, my brother-in-law with Milo, my sister and my dad!

Godparents baptizing Milo

Milo Thomas' cake

Milo's petit fours

Celebration dinner

My mom is so ready for easter ;)

I just love looking back at these pictures! :) Such a shame my sister lives so far away :( I wish they would live here, so I could see them more often, but hey, this is just the way it is!

What have you guys been up to lately?

Love, Melissa

See you soon Colombia!

Dear readers,

I am SO excited...in less than 12 hours I will be headed to Bogota, Colombia! :) Seriously cannot wait! My trip will be as follow: Bogota, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Taryona Parc, Cali, Popayan, Cali and back to Bogota. If any of you readers have been to one of these places or are currently living there, please share some tips! I would love to hear them! It would definitely make my stay so much more special, indulging the local tips! :)

As always, I will post photos as soon as I am back in Holland! In the meanwhile I hope I can write some posts when I am in Colombia.

For now...I wish you a very pleasant Easter and talk to you soon!

Love, Melissa