The Easter Bunny Doesn’t Speak Spanish
What I learned from Semana Santa in Mexico
My sister and I leaned forward, urging our little brother to start into a ribbon tied, five-pound, solid chocolate Easter bunny — a present from his godfather. “Eat the ears first!” cheering my brother on so we could share the bounty.
I don’t know what my brother’s godfather was thinking with such a present, but decades later I cringe at the thought of giving little kids that much sugar and caffeine. It also made me wonder if Easter candy excess was the norm here in Mexico, where the week-long religious holiday is called Semana Santa. The best way to find out seemed to go grocery shopping.
The banners outside the supermarket said ‘Cuaresma’ which translates as Lent, the 40-day period where believers refrain from eating meat, except fish on Fridays, in preparation for Easter. Right away I could tell it was not such a commercial event; there were no Easter baskets or toy rabbits placed as bait for kids shopping with mom. But the candy must be here somewhere…
Strolling my cart through the aisles, I scanned the shelves…aha…. found it. Hershey’s, M&Ms, Snickers, … even expensive Lindt, Cadbury, and Almond Roca. But where was the Easter candy?
Looking to flex my Spanish, I asked an employee, “Where is the Easter candy?” The shelf stocker looked at me in confusion. It must be my pronunciation. “No importa,” I said with an embarrassed smile, and moved to the checkout line.
The woman in front of me mentioned ‘Pascua’ (Spanish for Easter) while speaking to her daughter so I lurched out and asked about their traditions in my best Spanish. She looked to her daughter for help. “You want to know about Easter here, right?” said a younger copy of the woman.
Nodding, the girl went on. “I know about Easter in America. We have family there and they tell us about the candy and Easter baskets and new clothes. But here in Mexico we don’t do that. We have traditional food without meat for 40 days during Lent, and then on Easter Day we have roast beef, lamb, or goat with special Easter dessert.”
