I won’t say that wonderful events don’t happen downtown, because they do. But when things happen out in the neighborhoods they have a character all their own, an organic feel to them – like everyone just chipped in whatever they had that day and said […]
Slow but sure, I am catching up on my video footage. December 12, the celebration for the Virgen de Guadalupe. The celebrations started a few blocks down from our house where several new altars were built this year and a pilgrimage began on foot and […]
For the 33rd consecutive year, Hermanos Aguascalientes performed a concert to a standing room only audience in the Jardin. They were playing something like Stranger in the Night when we arrived. We rolled our eyes, the look that says if there’s one more like this […]
Back on the subject of street musicians, The city of Guanajuato has a wonderful minstrels Who pass the day serenading those in outdoor cafes, Singing while you sit in the shade having a cool drink. He’s my favorite – maybe it’s the blue guitar, Or […]
A few weeks ago we were in Mexico City at the San Angel Market. This entertaining man, not one bit shy about his toothless grin, and totally into the music, captured our attention and imagination, performing with his magic wand in the plaza while young […]
Mexico is a wonderland of visual and auditory treats. There seems to be no end to the number of people entertaining, festivals and personal acts of faith enacted in the streets here. With all the big events here, it’s easy to overlook some of the […]
Thursday night, near the mercado Ignacio Ramirez, the final event of the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe was held. Vendors food booths and people filled the streets. The Virgin’s altar was in full bloom, the procession of women carrying a wood nicho on a […]
I think the saying goes ‘Let me count the ways’ And today, the multitude of ways they honor the Guadalupe, Lupe, Lupita, beginning at midnight with fireworks and a mariachi mass. At 7am there is a rosary at the altar down the street, with singing, praying, tamales […]
Today’s song, Nuestro Juramento (Our Vow) (Listen while you read this post) Was composed by Puerto Rican Composer Benito de Jesús of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, But it’s fame is attributed to Julio Juramillo Of Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1935 – 1978. His rendition and recording of the song […]
Today’s song – Mucho Corazon Is a Bolero written and popularized by Benny Moore, Go here for the video to listen to while you read this post There is a general consensus That the first Latin American Bolero Was popularized in 1895 By Cuban troubador […]
Perfume de Gardenias, There’s an incredibly rich story behind this song, Or more accurately stated, by it’s composer, Rafael Hernández Marín of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 1892 – 1965. I suggest going to the song to listen while you read this post. At age 12 Rafael […]
Here’s the second post In the series of Singing in Spanish, Musica Romantica, Translated from Spanish to English below. Sung my neighbor Lorenzo and his quartet, On stage last night here in San Miguel. The link below has a movie of their performance Singing Si […]
Last night at the Feria de Lana y Laton I went by the stage which is set up in the Jardin to see what music was playing. I wanted to try out my new High definition video camera, which in almost every review, said the quality […]
Sunday morning. 10:30 AM. Since midnight Friday night, the partying has been going on. The parade of the estrellas (stars) at midnight, followed by dancing and events in the Jardin until 4am when las mananitas – happy birthday song to San Miguel, the patron saint […]
Last night in the Jardin The Independence celebration Began at 8pm. With Ballet folklorico. Dancers from San miguel Age six and up Performed traditional dances From Michoacan, Nayarit, Colima, Sinaloa. The girls, The young women, In colorful circular skirts With ribbons and ruffles, Whipping and […]
Festival at Atotonilco The 300th birthday Padre Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro Founder of the shrine Of Jesus de Nazareth, Atotonilco A spiritual retreat Visited by 2 million pilgrims annually. With days of celebrations, Culminating in today’s festival With Purepecha dancers, Orations and prayers Huapango […]
2014 Disclaimer: This reflects the decisions we make in 2009. Anything written here may have changed since then. This is a log of our story and you will want to do your own research as rules/plans change. It seems like every time I travel north […]
Part of my daily routine Is to video the various sounds here. This time we have: The knife sharpener Who walks around the town Sharpener thrown over his shoulder, With a whistle you can’t miss. But first, here’s a clown on his motorscooter On the […]
As you’ve seen from the previous posts, Parties are a really big thing here. Even the 5 month old baptism party Is equal to or greater than all the others. Little Diana was baptized on a Saturday, In Atotonilco, in what they called A very special place […]
My neighbor’s grand daughter, Cassandra, Had her first communion. Another in a series of events across the street. A happy and fun event this time, Following the two deaths Which occured the spring. There’s finally something happy to celebrate. Depending on whom you talk to […]
What else do you do for someone’s 65th birthday Someone who has everything they need Whom I could not think of one present for Except perhaps to be woken up at 7:30 am With a surprise serenade of songs By our local mariachi band Of […]
I guess you could say this fits right in With the sounds theme. This weekend has been the festival Of the Valle del Maiz, An annual festival that occurs On the hillside that heads out to Queretaro. It coincides with the festival Santa Cruz Which […]
I’m always struck By the variety of sounds That permeate the days and nights here. It starts in the early morning, before eight, With the recorded gas truck song, The truck goes so fast down the street You have to run as fast as you […]
After Maricela’s funeral The nine days of Novenas Are said at Petra’s house. 7:30 every night, With a meal provided afterwards. The singing begins at 7pm A hundred or more people show up Every night. There is something good to be said For praying together […]
While we were all busy Easter Sunday Watching Judas be blown up Maricela, Daughter of my neighbor and friend, Petra, Died, age 39. Tuesday, Petra and I had a good cry together The bread truck came Bread and pastries were picked out For the funeral, […]