Gritando!
So yesterday was the Purisima = the Catholic celebration of the immaculate conception of the Virgen Mary. Since Nicaragua is a predominately Catholic country, it was obviously a big deal. My family started preparing weeks before, buying little toys, candies, and supplies. The night before they built their alter to put their Virgen Mary statue on. It consisted of 3 curtains (backdrop), 4 strands of lights (to illuminate her), 5 pots of plants, and banners.
What was more interesting was the actual celebration though. At 6pm fireworks started going off. An incredible amount. And then the people left for the streets. kids and adults. It was like Halloween, christianized. The people went door to door gritando (screaming) ¿Quien causa tanta alegria? and the people at the house would gritar back “la concepcion de Maria! Vive la virgen!” and then pass out the candy or little goodies they had.
This last all night long. The streets were packed… it was like Halloween.
Then at midnight the fireworks went off again. This time louder and longer. Then again at 6am… ugh… there goes my sleep!
It was interesting though… Welcome to Nicaragua!
