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Semana Santa or Easter Week in Mexico
Semana Santa 2008 begins Sunday, March 16 . However, if you are doing business in Baja it would be prudent to conclude business by March 14th, as things will grind to a haut with vacations and family gatherings beginning that Friday. Life will being to return to normal on March 24th, however many federal and state employees take the following week as well.
Semana Santa or Holy Week in Mexico or Easter Week, as it is known in the United States, is a Catholic tradition. Beginning with Palm Sunday (March 16, 2008) and ending with Easter Sunday (March 23, 2008) it is one of the most important religious holidays besides Christmas, in all of Mexico. Many Mexicans observe the week following, Pascua (Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday) as part of this vacation period as well.
Semana Santa celebrates the last days of the Christ's life. Pascua is the celebration of the Christ's Resurrection. It is also the end of the sacrifices of Lent. Considering Mexico is almost 90 percent Catholic there is little surprise as to why it is so reverently celebrated.
With traditional celebrations in many cites all over Mexico and most people on vacation, it is both a time of reflection on their religion as well as a time to fiesta. In many areas there are religious processions, vigils, re-enactments of the Crucifixion of Christ and celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
There are many other traditions practiced all over Mexico such as the creating of Palm crosses, the celebration of Good Friday mass, the burning of Judas in effigy for betraying Christ.
Another tradition is to make colored eggs, much as we do in the States. But here they are blown out and filled with confetti, they are called cascarones.
Much of Baja will really take 10 days to 2 weeks for vacations, especially the government employees, making it difficult to complete business during those days. If you are doing banking or interacting with government offices be sure to confirm their holiday schedule. Businesses around Mexico can be short staffed, as it is a popular time of year for vacations. Like gringos, they tie their allotted vacation time in with existing holidays for a longer break.
With Semana Santa falling earlier this year, the weather it may yet be a little brisk in much of Baja for the usual outdoor activities. In fact, the weeks is usually about the best time of year for locals to enjoy a Baja outdoor holiday, much like our 4th of July. There is a weather legend that the wind will always blow atleast 3 days during Semana Santa.
Fishing hasn't really picked up but will by mid-April and the water is almost warm enough to swim (72-75°F) Multi-day fiestas beach camping and outings to Todos Santos, San Antonio and San Bartolo. Picnics at the beach are always a popular Baja way to enjoy the holidays and many camp overnight on the beaches.
Semana Santa is the comparable holiday to the "4th of July" for outdoor activities and the use of vacation time in conjunction with holidays for workers. It also shares the equal reputation when it comes to highway fatalities and accidents. In an effort to combat this, 2005 saw a dramatic increase in visibility of law enforcement on the highways. Between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas I encountered 11 Federal Hwy Patrol cars including a sobriety checkpoint and a radar trap. So, stay off the bottle and the accelerator over the holidays.
It is a time for the Mexican families to gather from all over. It is one of the most popular times for families to return to their home cities. In Baja California, many will go camping in the mountains, beaches or desert. Since this time of vacation is concurrent with Spring break in many Universities around the world many Mexican students will add to the Spring Break festivities in cities like Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.
Semana Santa is a great weekend for fiesta and fiestas are a great place for cervesa. Drunk driving is now under more scrutiny from local police and sobriety checkpoints have begun to pop up over the holidays. Drivers should exercise extra caution when driving during Semana Santa and avoid driving after sunset.