Tully Mars

I've been traveling quite a bit. Been meaning to post some photos of those travels but life's got in the way. Hate it when that happens.

Here's some shots of a Mexican Wedding I wondered into while checking out Izamal. I was walking around snapping shots and checking out the church when a wedding party arrived. At first I was going to see if could "sneak" a couple of shots without intruding on "their day." It quickly became apparent the group really enjoyed having their photos taken. So I snapped away as they stop, smiled and posed. Not posting many of the posed photos as they don't seem all that interesting to me.

Here's the church, it dates back to the mid 16th century...



It has a different kind of "Golden Arches"-





Notice the stained glass in the center? Looks really cool in person. Here's a shot from inside the Chapel-



It, like several other pieces, date back to the early 17th century-



Here's a shot of a painting, it's newer but the bottom of it shows what the whole complex looks like-



When the Spanish showed up they "helped" the savages find the right God. While doing that they convinced, with the help of modern day weapons, the locals to tear down their monuments and build the right type. In the very back ground, at the top, you can just see the remains of one of the pyramids used to gather stones for this cathedral-



Several years ago John Paul the Second showed up to apologize for the "help." Kind of a "sorry about murdering and enslaving a bunch of your ancestors, our bad" type thing-


(yeah, it's a picture of a picture, no flash allowed sorry for the quality)

The locals, having found the "right God," were nice enough to build him a special chair and prayer kneeling "thingy?" Of course me being me I had asked if it was ok to sit in the chair. Not surprisingly the answer to that question is "No! This is the handmade special chair that only the Holy Father may be siting in." Turns out I'm not funny down here either. Who knew?

The "Chair"-



There's a dress on each side of his special chair. They're dresses worn by the "Virgin" and blessed by him during his visit. I think the above photo of the photo shows him doing that blessing.

As I began to leave I noticed the church bells began to ring, at first I thought maybe it's noon. But people seemed to be excited about something at the entrance. I quickly noticed the arrival of a bride. I'm told tradition dictates her dress is handmade by her mother and aunts.-





Then the bridesmaids arrive-


(There are minors in this photo, but their back is turned and you can not see their faces. I think it's within the rules to post this, if it isn't PM me and I'll crop it or remove it.)

The brides father walks her to meet the "Father"-



This was quiet the procession. Unfortunately the number of kids in the group make it impossible for me to post the entire group.

They greet each other. I have no idea what was said but it took a good 15mins to say it-



They enter the church which is decked out for the occasion-



At that I decided to leave them be and have their day. I noticed many tourist follow them into the church continuing to snap photos. Maybe I'm more uptight then I realize but this seemed like an intrusion on their day so I headed out even though the family seemed to really enjoy getting their pictures taken. I did get the hint that "The Father" doing the service wasn't that thrilled with the mass of people snapping pics.

I did snap one of the couples carriage once down on the street-



So that's Izamal. More info on this town can be found here- Izamal

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dlish

great to see a different kind of wedding im used to seeing!

shame you didnt gett o sit on that chair. i'd have been tempted myself!

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mixedmedia

These are awesome, Tully! Thanks for sharing them. I never got married in a wedding dress, but if I did I would want to wear big hoop earrings with it.

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Tully Mars

We have something in common. I never got married in a wedding dress either.

It was a very cool day.

PS- I think the dad and I have the same taste in ties.

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I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo

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snowy

Too short?

Cool pics, Tully. Probably good you didn't stick around--I've been to Catholic weddings before and they take FOREVER.

This reminds me that I want to take my camera into work and take some pictures of the stained glass in our sanctuary.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your travels with us.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Tully Mars

I make up for it elsewhere. You know what big hands and big feet mean... that's right big gloves and big shoes.

My Spanish sucks so I have very little understanding of what the "Father" was saying but it took him 15mins. or so to say it. I got "honor" and "obey" about 10-15 times, that's about it. And many more "obeys" then "honors." I kept thinking- "obey, obey, obey... gez, this guy's a freaking broken record."

I think there's a lot of really cool things to see here but several of my Mexican friends are rather indifferent about it. I guess there's a bunch of Oregon that others would be excited to see that wouldn't knock me over either. Although now that I've been away for a while I certainly do miss Oregon. Spring is on the horizon and I'd much rather be there then here for it.

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I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo

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snowy

Spring is just starting to unfurl itself...the crocus are up, the snowdrops have appeared, and the daffodils are beginning to open. My garden has suddenly become a place of excitement again

It's one of the best seasons to be here...so long as you've got a good raincoat. But you know that

I'll be sure to take some pictures of what you're missing up here.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Tully Mars

I'd say keep rubbing it in but people have been telling me that all winter. You just gotta roll with it.

Enjoy your spring and yes please do post photos.

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I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo

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Cheesus

Cool pics. Thanks for sharing.