Ayacucho's large plaza is usually quite placid 

But during Semana Santa, everything changes

On Palm Sunday, feeder processions...

... fill this same space space

Jesus even makes an appearance, here on a burro (sorry I couldn't capture it in this photo)

And the youth prepare numerous, very elaborate graphics on the pavement

Later that night, the next procession will trample them all...

...and the next day they simply start over

Using chalk, flower petals, and other materials

Huge numbers of people are involved in creating palm figures for the procession...

...and huge numbers of people use them

I loved strolling the streets that ring the plaza, watching people waiting for the procession to start

Processions and more processions

One evening in my hotel room I heard music from the street

I looked out to see a full-blown church service in progress

choir and all