The Semana Santa celebrations in Quito begin on Palm Sunday and last until Easter Sunday. The most important event is the procession of Jesus del Gran Poder (Jesus the Almighty) on Good Friday in which literally hundreds of people process through the streets of the city's historic centre, watched by thousands more. They sally forth from the huge doors of the Franciscan church, the city's oldest (with the twin towers in these photos). The procession is made up of penitents, who carry crosses, chain their feet and even wrap barbed wire around their bodies, as well as the hooded 'cucuruchos' and the veiled 'veronicas'. It's quite a show for anyone who hasn't grown up with the Mea Culpas of Catholicism....