Semana Santa -- Holy Week

Semana Santa is an annual christian holiday intended to commemoration the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.  It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday with everyday having its own meaning and celebration.  Some say that the festival really begins the Friday before Palm Sunday called Pain Friday.

It doesn't have a set date of celebration, usuallyl its the last week of Lent, landing typically in March or April.  Lent ends on Maude Thursday which is supposed to represent the day of the last supper and the following Friday, Good Friday, represents the crucification of Jesus.  The Resurrection is called Saint Saturday and then finally you have Resurrection Sunday also known as Easter.

In Mexico, Semana Santa is a very religious and serious holiday.  Maybe people will go on vacation that week, but many people also stay at home and attend various church services during the Saint Days.

Here is what each day is called in Spanish and what it represents.

 

Domingo de Ramos. 

The day Jesus arrived to Jerusalem.

Lunes Santo. The Day Jesus arrived at Lazarith's House and also the day he destroyed/kicked everyone out of the market in front of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Martes Santo. The day Jesus told his disciples they were going to betray him.

Miércoles Santo. The day Judas betrayed Jesus.

Jueves Santo. THe day Jesus washed his disciples feet and the day of the Last Supper.Also the day of Jesus' arrest.

Viernes Santo.  The day of the interrogations of Herod and Pilot.  The day of the Crucifixion.

Sábado Santo.  The day he was put into the tomb.

 

Domingo de Resurrección.  Easter.  the day of Resurrection

Happy Birthday Benito Juarez (March 21st)

Benito Juarez is considered one of Mexico's greatest and most beloved leaders. During his political career he helped to institute a series of liberal reforms that were embodied into the new constitution of 1857. During the French occupation of Mexico, Juarez refused to accept the rule of the Monarchy or any other foreign nation, and helped to establish Mexico as a constitutional democracy. He also promoted equal rights for the Indian population, better access to health care and education, lessening the political and financial power of the Roman Catholic church, and championed the raising of the living standards for the rural poor.

Benito Juarez was born March 21st 1806, the child of Zapoteco Indians. After they died, he went to live with his uncle, but at 12 he joined his sister in Oaxaca. He began studying for the priesthood, but changed to studying for a law degree, which he received in 1831. 

In 1853 the conservatives took power in Mexico and many liberals were exiled, including Juarez, who spent his time of exile in New Orleans. In 1855 the liberals won the election, and Benito Juarez returned from his exile as the Minister of Justice. In 1858 the conservatives rebelled, and again Juarez had to leave Mexico City, this time fleeing to Veracruz, where he created a government in exile.

In January 1861 the conservatives lost power, and Benito Juarez became the President of Mexico.  After Mexican congress rejected an agreement Juarez had made with the British Prime Minister to protect the interests of European countries Spanish, British and French troops landed in Vera Cruz. Spain and Britain were there to protect their financial interests, and left in April, after it became clear that France had conquest in mind. The French troops fought for two years, and although suffering a serious defeat on 5th May 1862, eventually captured Mexico City in June 1863

Benito Juarez and the government of Mexico were forced to retreat right back to Ciudad Juarez, After four years, finally the Napoleonic forces withdrew. Maximilian himself was captured and executed on 19th June 1867.  Juarez returned to Mexico City, and the presidency even after suffering a stroke in October 1870, and the loss of his wife in 1871. He won the presidential election in 1871, but died on 18th July 1872, of a heart attack.  

Interesting perspective on Police.

So this morning I was at the gym. I was the only 1 at the gym because apparently I'm the only 1 who thinks it seems to be appropriate to get up at 6am on a Sunday to workout hahahahaha. Anyways, as I was working out I was looking out the window and saw a few police cars driving by. It made me start thinking about the different way we see police in the United States and in Mexico. Actually more so the different ways that the police see us. Here are some of the main differences: 

United States
  1) the police drive around in small sports cars made to look like the cars that everybody drives
  2) they sneak around and try to catch you doing something you're not supposed to do when you don't think that they're watching
  3) if you even think about bribing them to get out of a ticket you will most likely go to jail!

Mexico
  1) the police drive around in big Ford trucks with the words municipal police clearly written in big letters on all sides of the vehicle.  Also there's usually 3 or 4 policemen standing in the back of the truck with big guns just in case you were wondering whether or not they were police. 
  2) during the day and at night the police drive around with their lights on.  Not their headlights, but the red and blue lights on the top of the vehicle.  It's as if instead of hiding they're saying we are here and we want you to know that, so behave. 
  3) about 50 percent of the time the police will pull you over for absolutely no reason other than to see if you will try to bribe them! 

I don't know which system is better, I kind of like the aspect of everybody knowing they're there. It puts the control back in the power of the person to decide if they really want to do something bad. Instead of saying you did something bad hahaha we caught you. 

Just something I was thinking about this morning. I would love to hear your thoughts or comments on the topic.