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- Candle blessing and Mass: The core of the feast. Locals bring candles to church on February 2 to be blessed, and the service fills the building and spills onto the steps. Arrive early if you want a place inside.
- Procession of the Virgin: The image of the Virgin is carried through the streets with hymns, flowers and a trailing crowd. It moves slowly, so you can walk alongside and watch the neighborhood come out of its doorways.
- Joropo in the plaza: After dark the harp, cuatro and maracas take over, and couples dance the fast, stamping joropo of the llanos. Stand near the musicians for the best sound, and accept the first invitation to dance.
- Llanero food stalls: Smoky grilled beef, arepas, fresh cheese and cold drinks are sold around the plaza by local cooks. The meat is cooked over open fire,
- Candle blessing and Mass: The core of the feast. Locals bring candles to church on February 2 to be blessed, and the service fills the building and spills onto the steps. Arrive early if you want a place inside.
- Procession of the Virgin: The image of the Virgin is carried through the streets with hymns, flowers and a trailing crowd. It moves slowly, so you can walk alongside and watch the neighborhood come out of its doorways.
- Joropo in the plaza: After dark the harp, cuatro and maracas take over, and couples dance the fast, stamping joropo of the llanos. Stand near the musicians for the best sound, and accept the first invitation to dance.
- Llanero food stalls: Smoky grilled beef, arepas, fresh cheese and cold drinks are sold around the plaza by local cooks. The meat is cooked over open fire, so follow the smoke and the longest line.
- Coleo and plains horse culture: Cattle country shapes the surrounding celebrations, with riders in wide hats and horsemanship on show. Ask locals where any riding events are held, as they are informal and the location can shift.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.