Mass

Saturday night, I was having dinner with Hall, a grad student from KU when his friend, Aoifa (pronounced-Eefah-figure that one out SLPs) from Ireland joined us. She was taking a day trip the next day and asked us to join. After running around like chickens with our heads cut off since the tour agencies were closing soon, we accepted defeat and decided to stay in Antigua. Hall suggested we go to church the next day. He is Catholic and really wanted to go to mass. I jumped on the chance. Despite not being Catholic, I thought I would regret not going with him. Well I was right. I barely understood a word other than verses from the bible that are so imprinted in me from my VBS and church camp days that I would recognize them in almost any language. However, I felt so connected to the people of Antigua and Guatemala. Religion is such a part of culture that I think no matter if you believe in the same God, a different God, or no God, to truly appreciate the culture as a whole you need to open yourself up to these experiences. Granted, going to mass didn't pull me very far out of my comfort zone but it is something I had never done while here before. Plus, I needed to feel more connected to the Guatemalans. Not volunteering has put me more on the student/gringo trail than I would like. Dadgum swine flu closing the schools! But I digress...
After mass, there was a procession celebrating Corpus Christi (the body of Christ) and it was interesting but Hall and I didn't stay long because it was rainy and we were FREEZING! So we headed to breakfast at one of my favorite places, Khafka's. I'll have to post about the crazy kitty there later.
Here is the church, La Merced:



I love this church and always think of Becky when I pass it. Yellow always makes me think of her and I think this church is so pretty just like my Aunt. But maybe I only think she's pretty because everyone says I look just like her.

Here are people waiting on the processional:



Looks like a funeral huh? I promise it isn't. Lots of topics to discuss in upcoming posts!