Today is the feast day of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, the mother, queen, and patron saint of Oaxaqueños.
If you enter the word “soledad” into a Spanish to English translation program, “solitude” and “loneliness” result. However, for the past ten days, Our Lady of Solitude hasn’t had much of an opportunity to be lonely. On December 15, she was taken down from her glass encased niche in the Basílica, that bears her name, and carried out into the fresh air of the church plaza. On the 16th, she took a road trip through the streets of Oaxaca, stopping to visit several other churches along the route.
The faithful have been coming to honor her.
And, over the past 24 hours, she has been entertained by fireworks, bands, and the ringing of bells.
Food stalls surround her from Morelos to Independencia…
along with vendors of the sacred…
and the profane.
There is even a carnival for the kids.
With crowds, like these…
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad might just be looking forward to returning to the solitude of her glass enclosed niche. I know I’m looking forward to a quiet night’s sleep!
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Perfect portrayal of the reality! I think she got a little rest last night…
I think she and I both got a good night’s sleep last night! Hope you did, too. 😉
Great photos!
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We went last evening and no wonder you were kept awake. The vicinity was full of noise (hawkers, firecrackers, music, shouting). In addition there were lights, food and associated smells, sights galore of people and things, an rather intense general bustle, as well as the devout seeking respite from the din within the confines of Soledad itself. What a spectacle. Come festival time, Oaxacans max out the five senses. Its magical. Your images perfectly capture swaths of the incessant action.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Maxing out the five senses says it perfectly!