December 8 is a national holiday in Colombia, celebrating Spanish victory in battle against overwhelming odds. Just as the Spanish Third was about to be overwhelmed a tablet with the image of the immaculate conception was found, placed upon and alter and used to motivate the troops. Legened has it that the river froze that night and the Spanish Third was able to march arcross the ice and surpise their enemy.

The religious elements of the celebration in Aracataca included a special Mass, a procession through the city, for some and all night vigil and lighting candles in front of the house just before sunrise.

The secular elements are much more pronounced. These included fireworks, children's games and adult games of chance in the central park, loud, loud music played through big PA systems everywhere, all night, drinking all night and consequently sleeping most of the actual holiday. I joined the festivities off-an-on, going to see the fireworks, sitting out on the front patio with my host family, walking around town to see the goings-on, lighting candles at dawn and sleeping late.

I walked around a great deal the next day too and saw many neighborhoods festooned for the occaision. Below are pictures from Barrio Marujita that we still rocking the next day.

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