Posadas

We joined our first Posada in San Miguel de Allende this evening.  Nine different posadas are taking place this week, from different churches and neighbourhoods in the city.  A posada is a type of parade which shows a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage to Bethlehem asking for shelter.

In today's, a small truck had a scene of Bethlehem created on the back and three children dressed as Mary, Joseph and an angel. They were carefully secured to the truck so there would be no injuries as they drove along!!  The parade set off at 7.30pm, escorted by the police, and a crowd started to follow on behind.

As the parade moved, a band played and then the crowd sang a chant/song which is Mary and Joseph's request for lodging.  After each chant, there was no room at the inn and so they continued to move forward...  and the crowd kept growing and growing......with two very tall ladies bringing up the rear!!:

 and some smaller ladies peering from their their balconies....

It was fun to see everyone joining in - there were hundreds of people by the end and the parade lasted a long time. It all ended at one of the churches with Mary and Joseph knocking on the door and everyone being let in. Finally there was room at the "inn".