It was getting closer to 8pm. Cristo Negro starts his processional march from the San Felipe and through the streets of Portobello at exactly at 8:00pm. Not before. Regular attendees knew what to expect and so the dancing began as though to hasten the time.

When the bells tolled announcing that 8pm arrived there was a deafening roar of ‘ariba’ from the crowd, calling for El Nazareno to be lifted up for the procession. The sound was electrifying.