Blessing Big Bertha
Exploring Copacabana in Bolivia, we saw a lot of decorated cars around the town. Further investigation revealed they had been adorned with trimmings in preparation for their blessing by the pastor at the town’s church. Turns out this is quite a thing. Each day at 10am and 2:30pm, and especially at weekends, vehicles assemble outside the church ready for their blessing. The pastor starts with a prayer and then anoints the car and owners with holy water, before moving onto the next. After the blessing, it is tradition for the owner to pour alcohol over the vehicle.
We decided to it would be nice to have Big Bertha blessed! So we proceeded to navigate the narrow streets to the church and bought the necessary trimmings and alcohol from the countless vendors outside. The pastor emerged at 2:30pm and performed the ceremony and Bertha was good to tackle South American roads again.
UPDATE: A BBC Radio 4 piece on this ceremony: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002462b. Starts at 22.35 towards the end.
That is so sweet!
I hope BB is trouble free now.
So do we!!
I love this so much. Big Bertha is ready to take you on the road again freshly consecrated!
Those photos are gorgeous too — what does that fabulous checkered flag represent?
Thanks Marissa. The Wiphala (Quechua pronunciation: [wɪˈpʰala], Spanish: [(ɡ)wiˈpa.la]) is a square emblem commonly used as a flag to represent some native peoples of the Andes that include today’s Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, northwestern Argentina and southern Colombia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiphala
Absolutely brilliant !
We thought so!
Anyone out there begrudging BB a thoroughly well deserved blessing?
Anyone out there unfamiliar with BB rendering unstinting service over many miles and years since the adventures began?
Anyone out there unprepared unwelcoming BB rejoicing in the moment of “Asperges Me”
What a lovely tradition and an extra special memory to take from Bolivia. May the blessing follow you both on your adventurous travels.
Thank you Helen
What a lovely idea to have Big Bertha blessed
It was quite touching!