Beginning in the early hours this morning, this family began making a Xuchile – an altar made from bamboo like strips, lashed to twenty five foot poles, then covered in flowers which are made from the root ball of the agave plant, decorated with juniper […]
When you see something like this On a street corner in town You just know there’s going to be a parade Three Mojiganas, bigger than life Two devils and a skeleton Are ready for the alborada ‘rehearsal parade.’ I think this is one of those […]
About four pm today the drumming started. Indio Dancers, loud banging drums, whoops hollers and screaming. It sounded like it was coming right down our street but upon climbing up to the terraza it was obvious that it was about a quarter mile away in […]
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 […]
Yesterday, Esther & Daniel brought an invitation by. Daniel is the nephew of my neighbor Petra. Esther is the daughter of the Norteno band. They play traditional music for dancing and singing at Petra’s parties. It is the third birthday Of their daughter Monserrat. The […]
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 […]
Or body of Christ. The feast day which commemorates The gift of the Eucharist, which occurred During the last supper, The Thursday before Easter. That’s the short version. But here, it is also another day to celebrate By decorating the town in red velvet and gold […]
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 […]
Following up on the previous post on wives tales, Last night at 9:30, my neighbor Aron Rings my bell and invites me over For a ‘whiskey’ — This usually means some of his boys Are visiting, or some special event. I am in my bare […]
Tonight, the nine novenas ended. The rosary was said, as it normally is With songs to the Virgin Mary Between the Our fathers and Hail Marys. I came in a few minutes after it started Standing room only, but Victoria, Waves me over to the […]
Regarding the ‘S’ word… We walked into town about 5:30 The Jardin is full today, The streets are still rather quiet. No one but the waiters are wearing the masks (tapabocas) Nor do you see many Hanging it around people’s necks. Looking at the photos, […]
Tonight I went out at 6pm To go to Novena number four, The rosary for Elvia’s husband, Jesus. (hay-sus) Leaving our house in Santa Julia I headed down Ignacio Allende To Avenida Guadalupe, Along the stinky creek, Those of you who live here Know which […]
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, […]
At about 1 am John woke me to say “Fireworks!” I think the procession is nearby I’m going… Normally I am up and running But this time, I am too tired And unable to rise for the occasion. I heard the door slam as he […]
As if Semana Santa wasn’t enough The church that holds Senor de las columas, The San Juan de Dios Church, Is still holding services throughout the day And when there are none, People still sit in the pews praying. This morning we walked past On […]
On Easter Sunday in the US There are Easter baskets Easter Eggs Ham and potatoes Deviled Eggs All preceded by Weeks of the Easter bunny at the mall Aisles of candy in all the stores That will make it into Easter baskets Then sold the […]
The town is swarming with visitors Last night, we wandered into town at 6pm We crossed the path of the following procession Of Roman soldiers, religious statues, The Virgin of Dolores, Christ, mourners in black Baby angels, making their way From the Iglesia Santo Domingo […]
Tonight we walked into town and back. Walking through a very Mexican neighborhood On the way back, where none of the homes Have walls with finished in aplonado Let alone painted, There was a beautiful ending to a street Christmas lights, a nacimiento Children running […]
Well, after my bragging about eating in the markets Me, miss smartypants Who thinks she is immune To food poisoning, And eats freely In all the markets, Came down with a two days of Aches, pains, headaches Body temperature All out of whack. However no […]
Festivals and rituals Are taken VERY seriously, Historic and religious beliefs Are acted out in public passion plays, The many faces and times of Mexico Are featured in this festival The Aztec dancers, local Indios, Homage to San Miguel Arcangel In the form of floats […]
7/13/08 Last Sunday we thought it was the weekend for the Feria de Atotonilco, and decided to go. Our neighbors Marta, Aron and their son Ariel went with us. Upon arrival, we discovered that the fair was not this weekend, but next – however, it […]
The week long festival of San Antonio de Padua culminates with the ‘Locos’ parade of over 10,000 participants in costume. This first float of San Antonio, brings on the throng of costumed revelers. The altar is filled with flowers, decorations and flowers. Wizard princesses…. and […]