Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On July 30, a procession leaves from the church incorporating
macheteros
(local youths dressed in white with
remarkable radial headdresses traditionally made from macaw feathers),
achus
(village elders with wooden masks
and hats bearing fireworks) and musicians beating out the tunes of the unique Moxos music - using drums,
enormous bamboo pan-pipes and flutes. One by one the procession visits every house in the village, returning the
images of San Ignacio that had been deposited in the church and receiving food and drink in return. The winding
route ends at the church, where they attend Mass, its close signifying the end of formalities and the beginning of
festivities.
The evening of the first day of fiesta starts with huge fireworks let off by two rich local families outside the
church, who 'compete' through the lavishness of their displays. Then it's over to the
achus,
men and women
wearing large, high-topped leather hats with firecrackers fizzling on the top, who run through the crowd, while
everyone shrieks and runs away, laughing and screaming - children have a particularly good time. Fresh river fish
is eaten in abundance, plenty of drinking takes place (as you'll see by the number of booze-casualties sleeping in
the streets) and local
artesanía
(handcrafted items) are displayed around the village.
On the morning of the second day another Mass is held. The small statue of San Ignacio is returned to the
church and a larger statue of the same saint is extracted for the first time to lead a second procession, one that is
this time accompanied by local politicians, religious authorities, invited dignitaries and others worthy of a bigger
statue. Once the formalities are dispensed with, it's party time again. The second and third days are filled with lots
of dancing and bull-teasing, when the (drunk) locals attempt to get the bulls' attention. A few days later, San Ig-
nacio goes back to its quiet life, only to go wild again the following year.
Sleeping & Eating
Plenty of accommodations are available in town, though quality varies from rustic to
'only in an emergency'! Note that prices double during the fiesta, but visitors can camp at
established sites just outside town during the festivities.
Plaza Hotel $
(
482-2032; per person B$70, without bathroom B$50)
On the plaza, a cheery option
with bright, spacious doubles with fans.
PENSION
Residencial Don Joaquín $
(
482-8012; Montes; per person B$80, without bathroom B$50)
At the corner of the
plaza near the church, it offers a nice patio and clean, simple rooms.
PENSION
Residencial 31 de Julio $
(per person without bathroom B$30)
A block off the plaza, this friendly place maintains
clean and basic rooms.
PENSION
