Flags and ceremony

Sunday morning, 9:30 am, and as is the custom here there is music being played on loudspeakers outside my hostal while the police start quietly clearing the main Plaza D’Armas. Traffic is also re-directed at this point, and the whole plaza area, usually teaming with cars and people, takes on a quiet, serene aura. Music ended, there is a gentleman who does a sound check to prepare for the weekly formal flag raising ceremony.

Then down the street and into the plaza a group of soldiers march, dress khakis, shinyshoes, and rifles on their shoulders. They make their way diagonally across the plaza, moving around the main fountain, and then execute a sharp turn at the corner closest to my room before moving to settle just this side of the war memorial, at ease.

They stand there dutifully while the final preparations are made. Chairs and a podium are readied across the street from the monument, and dignitaries gather.

At exactly 10:00 a voice booms out welcoming the participants, and announces the program to the small crowd of people stopped to watch on the periphery of the plaza.

This being my fourth consecutive flag raising event, I believe I have the gist of it understood, Spanish notwithstanding. Basically the dignitary performing the introductions does so with the gusto of a politician speaking to a crowd of supporters at a rally. Three officials approach the memorial and stand for a moment of respectful silence. Honours are given to a select few to raise, in order, The Peruvian flag, the flag for the province of Amazonas, and the flag for the city of Chachapoyas, each followed by the appropriate anthem.

A speech is usual following the proceedings, one week about International Womens’ Day, one by a candidate in the upcoming elections, and so forth.

The whole ceremony is ended on a fervent “Viva Peru”, and the honour guard goose steps away.

A few minutes later people surge onto the main plaza to begin the days’ main entertainment, basically sitting or meandering the plaza, socializing. Traffic again buzzes and honks by, and the police take up their places at the ready to whistle at any car that even thinks about stopping or parking.

So begins another Sunday.

The rest of my Sunday has been pleasant. Veggie omelette, an attempt at skype (the connection is too slow), and an outing to the Orchidarium. This lovely spot is located at a point not too far along the road to Levanto, across a pretty valley from the city but before the road begins its steep ascent.

In the company of Jessica and Steve I spent a pleasant half hour or so taking pictures of Orchids in bloom, and then meandered back down into the city. The day started in cloud, but as usual the sun had come out (yes, I remembered my sunscreen… no, I did not remember my hat) and gave us a beautiful day for a walk.

Through a part of town where people smiled and greeted us as we passed, a nice change from yesterday.