Friday, 31 March marked the unofficial start of Easter Week or Holy Week. Easter Week is a Roman Catholic Church holiday, but it is also the time when most large cities seem to become abandoned as thousands head for the beaches or the mountains for an extended vacation.
Officially, the government has issued a memo to its employees that states that the holidays start at 4pm on Wednesday, 5 April 2023. However, most schools closed last Friday, 31 March and will not open until Tuesday, 11 April.
Diario Libre shred with its readers a few ideas of what to do, and perhaps avoid the truly scary traffic that is heading out of town (and which will return on Sunday!). One option is to resist the call to the beach and just stay at home. It will be peaceful, and the stores will be empty for the most part and you can probably get a small project finished.
You can also wake up late and enjoy the day. Another thing might be to visit that friend or family member you have been meaning to see. Maybe go have coffee and catch up on things.
Next, you might just go out and have fun.
Go dancing (you don’t have to get up early), have a few drinks with some friends, or take a short day trip (this avoids traffic).
For some, this is the time to renew your faith, and take part in the different church activities that remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. This is not for everybody, but it is an option for all.
Finally, this might be the time to go out and eat at that place everyone is talking about or that you really enjoy when there are not so many people about. It can be an interesting week, fast or slow, but above all: safe.
El Nuevo Diario reports on the culinary traditions for Easter that reflect the Dominican Taino, African and Spanish heritage. This is the time to try the Easter tradition, “habichuelas con dulce.”
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
El Nuevo Diario
3 April 2023