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Therese

Feb 22, 2004, 5:06 AM

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Semana Santa

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Greetings,

I will be arriving for Semana Santa on Thursday, 8 April. We are staying in Chichen for the next 3 nights, leaving there for Uxmal on Sunday, 12 April, Easter.

We are Catholic and are looking forward to experiencing this holiday in Mexico. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for us. I am wondering if there are Good Friday observances in Valladolid and if so how can I find out when those would be? Perhaps a suggestion where we should go to Mass on Easter Sunday? I do not think we want to go into Merida for Easter as the traffic is likely horrible that day and we need to be in Uxmal that evening.

Thank you in advance,

Therese

Jim in Cancun / Moderator

Feb 22, 2004, 7:37 AM

Post #2 of 11 (826 views)

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Re: [Therese] Semana Santa

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The religious ceremonies are indeed impressive for Semana Santa. The schedule will be pretty much what it is "back home"--wherever that may be. There may be a living stations of the cross which would probably start around 10 a.m. to culminate at 12 noon there in Vallodolid. My suggestion would be to do the
Saturday evening service but Easter in the Cathedral in Merida will probably be worth any minor inconvenience and Uxmal is not that far.

Have a great time!

Therese

Feb 22, 2004, 7:57 AM

Post #3 of 11 (825 views)

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Re: [Jim in Cancun] Semana Santa

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hmmm..definately something to consider.

My current thinking is to try and see Ek Balam early Friday morning, 9 April. Then go to Vallodolid for the services and lunch.

Then on Sunday, we are considering getting up EARLY and driving to Ticul for Easter Mass. The idea of going to Merida is very tempting. I just worry that due to the crowds for Easter, Merida will just be difficult to navigate and get to Uxmal in a timely fashion. I am obviously erroring on the side of leaving more driving time than is likely necessary, since it is all new territory for me.

If anyone knows, do women still cover there heads for Mass in this area? Would it be considered improper for me not to wear a mantilla? I can get one, just don't know if I need to.

Therese

Jim in Cancun / Moderator

Feb 22, 2004, 8:22 AM

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Re: [Therese] Semana Santa

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You obviously have your plans made.

You can cover or not your hair.

esperanza

Feb 22, 2004, 9:14 AM

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Re: [Therese] Semana Santa

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You do know that the main Easter Mass is the Vigil Mass on Saturday night (this year on April 10)? Easter morning Masses are much more comparable to Sunday Mass the rest of the year.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Therese

Feb 22, 2004, 9:31 AM

Post #6 of 11 (811 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Semana Santa

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I had no idea about that! Thank you for the information.

See, all my plans are not set yet. They change as I learn.

Therese :)

(This post was edited by Therese on Feb 22, 2004, 9:33 AM)

PBGollaz

Feb 22, 2004, 2:49 PM

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Re: [Therese] Semana Santa

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Are you flying or driving? If driving, be aware that wait times to cross the border can be 4 or 5 hours during Semana Santa because of hundreds of thousands of paisanos traveling to and from the U.S. to visit family members in Mexico.

Patrick
Zapopan, Jalisco, México

esperanza

Feb 22, 2004, 3:27 PM

Post #8 of 11 (801 views)

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Re: [pbgollaz] Semana Santa

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And if you don't already have reservations, it would be best to rethink the timing of your trip. All Mexico is on vacation during Semana Santa and many, many, many (did I mention many?) people head for every available vacation destination.

Make that MANY.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Therese

Feb 23, 2004, 3:09 AM

Post #9 of 11 (784 views)

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Re: [pbgollaz] Semana Santa

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I am flying into Cancun and picking up my rental car there. I agree that the crowds will be an issue. We are just going to join in and make the best of it. Due to my kids being school age it is the only week we can go. We were in Mexico last year in mid-January and it was wonderful. But they missed and entire week of school. I'll get teacher dirty looks if I took them out again this year.

This makes me think about traveling in general. No matter how perfect the planning or which paradise we visit, there are just always bumps (should I say topes?) in the road. From talking to more experienced travelers then myself, I see how they plan for unexpected and always seem to keep some flexibility in their plans.

I try to have an outline of a schedule, but I am always willing to change it. It might be some really beautiful beach or road you discover that calls you off schedule or it could be the bus that doesn't show up.

Kind of like life isn't it?

Thank you for the continued input!

Therese.

sfmacaws

Mar 1, 2004, 12:18 AM

Post #10 of 11 (751 views)

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Re: [Therese] Semana Santa

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If you have reservations (try for the Gran Hotel) in Merida, then I think that it would be possible to see Ek Balam and then go on to Merida. Saturday night mass at the cathedral will be crowded but unforgettable. You should have no problem getting to Uxmal on Sunday if you leave in the morning (not the crack of dawn but say by 10 or so).

I just spent Carnival in Merida, which btw is my favorite city in Mexico, and it was fantastic. I also think that Easter in Ticul or Oxcuxcab (ok, I probably spelled it wrong but I can pronounce it) would be wonderful but on a smaller scale.

You and your kids would enjoy the Loltun caves, it's about a 1.5 hour tour and very impressive. Up to 2500 Maya lived in this cave for years during the Caste Wars, prior to that it was a sacred place for many hundreds (perhaps a thousand) years. It's not far from Uxmal along the Puuc route.

Remember what Esperanza said, all of Mexico is on the road in Semana Santa and you will need reservations almost anywhere you go.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

sfmacaws

Mar 1, 2004, 12:25 AM

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Re: [sfmacaws] Semana Santa

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Oh, and while it is certainly acceptable not to cover your head, you will find that most women in the Yucatan still do so. Most particularly in the more rural areas like Ticul. It shows respect and is more stictly adhered to in Semana Santa. A simple head scarf from the US works as well as a local purchase.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán