Nicaragua's Virgin Mary 9 day Holiday

Each night since last Monday the people of Granada have decorated a different street, one after another, and conducted a procession of floats of the Virgin Mary down the street in the direction of the Cathedral and Central Park. The procession attracts hundreds of locals who come to see the floats, follow them from one end of the street to the other and to party! There’s hanging string lights from House to House like Christmas, fireworks like Forth of July, a marching band like the Rose Bowl and even glow light necklaces like at Disneyland. Its quit a celebration.

Street party for the Virgin Mary holiday

Procession of the Virgin Mary float

Float of Virgin Mary

Santa Lucia our street party

Last Thursday the procession look place on our street so we got to see this first hand; starting at 3 AM the morning before when they fired off a round of fireworks to announce the start of the street set up. Shocked at first we had no clue what was going on and Ryan jumped out of bed because he thought a bunch of kids were blowing up our van with fireworks.

Anyways the night the procession was on our street I talked to a young local girl who told me all about the meaning of the celebration, how it travels from street to street and that on Monday, today, there is going to be a huge party in the Central Park with a ton of Mariachi bands. So now we are back in Granada to part-take in the traditional Nicaraguan holiday.

written by

ryan & debbrial on December 7, 2009 from Granada, Nicaragua

from the travel blog: Us Discovering the Latin Americas

Send a Compliment

Wow, I have only been going on to face book to see your travels, but this is much better! I can see and read about all the amazing things you guys are doing together! I miss you guys so much and I cant wait to see you next Spring! I noticed that Ryan shaved his head, is it better for him that way? Im sure its cooler for him. Well I will every week to see your new post and look forward to reading! Love you guys so much!
Meghan

written by Meghan Paletz on December 10, 2009

So glad you finally started reading the blogs. Its a great way to see what we are up to. Miss you too lots. Love Debb

written by

ryan & debbrial on December 10, 2009

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