My first Easter away from my family was sad, but I was determined to find something fun to do and to make the best of it. A few weeks before Easter, while exploring Olvera street, I found out about a festival called the Blessing of the Animals. The centuries-old ceremony of Blessing of the Animals dates back to the fourth century. In those days, the people would take their animals to the priest to receive a blessing and ask for fertility and health. This year was the 80th annual celebration at Olvera Street. It was so much fun!
I've never seen anything like it. People were dressed in their colorful mexican attire and there were animals of every kind! There was music and dancing, and of course excellent food to be eaten!
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| Yummy taquitos in avocado sauce! Mmmmm!! |
After lunch I headed out to the front of Olvera street so I could find a good spot for the procession of the animals. It started out being lead by the bull, and the Arch Bishop Jose Gomez followed.
After the Arch Bishop took his spot on the podium, the animals followed in a very long procession. There were animals of every kind! I almost ran out of memory on my camera card.
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| Of course the Easter bunny was there!! |
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| THE LLAMAS WERE MY FAV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| I just thought this little girl looked sweet! |
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| I loved these little guys! Such good sports with their doggles! |
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| The reptile man! |
As the animals approached the podium the Arch Bishop sprinkled them with water to bless them. This went on for over an hour because there were so many animals.
After taking it all in and snapping a ton of photos I finally got my custard filled churro and headed home!
Doing something fun and different helped distract me from the fact that I was away from my family during Easter. I definitely missed them and wished I could've been there with them. Easter just didn't feel the same...but then again....nothing does out here. That's the whole point though, right? ;)
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