I could not agree more. And thank you for pointing out that a thurible is not commonplace in all Christian services as someone else said earlier - it is not used in Lutheran/Protestant services for examples. I belong to the latter but I do attend Catholic services from time to time. Of course I would like to the see the Botafumeiro swing but if I am there I will be attending mass and not a spectacle to which I have a right after all my travelling and walking. And for me, that means also taking no photos, taking no videos.
If I understand correctly, the "audience" even applauds afterwards?[/QUOTE
I don't plan on applauding. Or photographing this "spectacle". However, I do appreciate ritual and spiritual events, even as an atheist. I certainly don't lay claim to them for any reason. But I do plan on staying in Santiago long enough to watch the Boafumeiro swing. And why not??