Fiestas Patronales

This week was party week. The celebration of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of Suchitoto. Every morning, fireworks went off beginning at 3:30AM, for a different neighborhood in the town. Each night the "queen" from that neighborhood rides in her carriage and the neighbors cheer as she passes. And there are more fireworks.

Fireworks here have no bounds here. Anything goes. Including the "toritos". Men put a wooden platform on their back full of fireworks and run around while the fireworks go off above them. They often run towards crowds of people as well, and the children run away laughing. Honestly, it is really dangerous. It's fun as long as you keep your distance!

The 12th of December was the big party. There were beautiful fireworks, and 3 live bands. We stayed up until 3AM dancing, and then ate some late-night pupusas in the plaza. If you know Suchitoto, you know that most people go to bed at 8PM, and dancing until 3AM is unheard of. The 12th is the great exception, the party of the year. A city come to life.