Day 8 I went to Guadalajaras iconic Cathedral today for Sunday service. I got my first intentionally bad directions today from some punk kids. They told me the Cathedral was the opposite direction but I quickly verified it with another local. Then I caught up with them and told the one that told me the bad info, No manches. (slang for dont do stupid shit). This was returned with laughter as I walked away. Punks. Never having been to such a flashy, old-school orthodox service, and barely understanding what the songs or sermons were about, it was a very strange experience. It started with the head priest walking around the pews with a giant golden cane and his special green robes and flashy white-and-gold hat (he took that hat off and put it back on at least 5 times during the service and I never knew why). He was swinging a metal container with burning incense of some kind. He blessed a table covered with a blanket and then the service started. It was mostly songs and call-and-response prayers, with a lot of standing up and sitting down (again I never understood why). The choir was incredible, as well as the man playing the massive pipe organ that shook the building. I wore my nicest shorts-and-t-shirt combination but I was obviously not up to the dress code. After about 40 min the head priest gave a sermon for 10 minutes - it was something about a conversation with Jesus and his disciple and a key point was that Jesus was alone among men, but was always one with His Father in heaven. The Cathedral is an incredible and extravagant building. Its interior is decked with golden everything, huge pillars and intricate stained glass. There are also statues or paintings of dozens of saints. It was quite an experience. Tomorrow I leave Guadalajara for the coast. Im getting a free ride and Im excited to lounge around Mexicos beaches, but Ill miss Guadalajara. Its probably my second-favorite city to Portland. Everyone is nice, its full of beautiful buildings but still feels warm and friendly - it has the soul of a gentle and wise old man who still has the energy and spirit to dance salsa.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 01:42:48 +0000
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