July 16 is the feast day for la Virgen del Carmen, a sighting of the Virgin Mary in a shrine built by hermits in the Holy Land.
That Catholic story has been framed by a few countries as the basis for celebrating different workers in transit - sometimes naval or military; in Colombia, anyone who works in emergency services, or as a taxi, bus, or truck driver.
Día del Conductor is a full-day celebration of all such workers. The last processions & parties are just finishing now!
@MLClark So it's like a day to honor all of those workers? That's so nice! 😊
It is!
Funny thing, too - even though there are a lot of statues around the city from other centuries, celebrating ancient Great Men of Colombia, all the more recent statues and art tends to celebrate everyday workers. So in many places, you can see everyday lives held up as positive examples - from the humble street seller of fruit and tinto (black coffee), to the construction worker, to the farmer and fisherman.
It's nice to be reminded that a community needs us all. :)
@MLClark Oh i love that! It's celebrating and recognizing how everyone plays a part in making life special.... ❤️🙂
@MLClark I saw the honking post earlier. What on earth is happening there? 🙃