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“There are no taxis!” A woman commented worriedly as she waved a hand for a yellow vehicle to take her home. It was almost 6:30 pm, an hour and a half before the curfew started in the Antioquia capital. The minutes passed and the attempts were frustrating.
Meanwhile, the sky went from a light blue color to a darker, almost black … night was coming, with a chaotic and hot tint in the center of Medellín because sales did not stop. Doña María Helena Mejía, for example, could not cope with the sale of her special incense.
“Today was really good for me, thank God. Here they buy a lot of incense like I sell it because people who do not know say that incense but that alone does not work, it works is all complete. With the 13 floors! ”, commented María, who has been selling this special ritual for 25 years, which in December, especially December 31, has a special demand due to the omens that many countries have to receive the New Year.
Her incense, which she prepares herself with her rough and somewhat wrinkled hands, contains basil, rue, peppermint, eucalyptus, palo santo, rosemary, rosin, myrrh, incense, lavender, sage, rosemary and another one that forgot its name.
Everything is for good luck and to attract prosperity, said the woman, who amid the chaos of the popular El Hueco sector, in the center of Medellín, their livelihood is sought with that mixture that surely many today at midnight, already in 2021, will be preparing and spreading through their homes.
(You can also read: Abecé of continuous curfew in Medellín and Antioquia for the new year)
María Helena Mejía sells special incense for these dates in El Hueco, downtown Medellín.
Esneyder Gutierrez
Very close to her, and despite the fact that it was less than two hours before the curfew began, there were sales of clothes, tennis shoes and toys. This sector of the city seemed to have no eagerness. There is always time for some last purchases, as happened to Jhon Fredy Rúa Tobón, who in one of the corners had located his position of shirts of different sizes and colors.
“Today was rather soft because the Public Space was lowered in the morning and in the afternoon and there were few people. But happy because one goes with the market for the house, “he said, while three clients were choosing various t-shirts, which will surely be gifts or will be for the famous ‘drama’ that cannot be absent from the Antioquia culture for the 24th and December 31st.
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Jhon Fredy Rúa and his t-shirt stand this December 31st.
Esneyder Gutierrez
In the middle of the rush of some to go to the Parque Berrío or San Antonio metro stations, and as many routes to the tram, there were other buyers with less eagerness. The choice of product was important. Even the parishioners of Iglesia San José attended the end of the year mass, regardless of the distance, for them faith, perhaps, was more important than the virus.
On Avenida La Playa, in the midst of the resonance of a merengue from a famous local nightclub and rock from some street vendors, everything happened with less effort.
“Complete incense!” Shouted another vendor, while other customers surrounded his cart where he had his products. Meanwhile, from a megaphone someone shouted 12 grapes, 12 wishes! Another important omen but he had no clients, not that time.
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The end of the year mass in the San José church, in the center of Medellín.
Esneyder Gutierrez
In contrast, streets such as Avenida Guayabal were already without souls, just the occasional passerby and pressing cars and motorcycles. While some were running, around 7:00 pm, already in the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Belén, in the Parque de Belén, in the south of Medellín, there were parishioners listening to mass, even some from the outskirts.
“There is much to be thankful for despite the difficult moments, then one leaves calmer and confident that everything for next year can turn out much better,” said Mary Uribe, a parishioner, who preferred to close the year with her faith.
It was time for the curfew. There are fewer people on the streets. The silence in some sectors is notorious. But, in others, it is the opposite. From the houses, at this time of December 31, holiday music emanates, partying, common at this time. There are already families gathered waiting for 12 at night and many, surely, will be burning the incense, some bought from Doña María to welcome 2021 and celebrate the New Year.
DAVID CALLE
TIME
AND TWITTER: @ davidcalle1
