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 […]
Two sunday’s before Easter, Sr. de la Columna, the Virgin of Dolores and San Juan are removed from their places in the santuario, wrapped in silk scarves, covered, then carried in an all night pilgrimage to San Miguel for the upcoming Semana Santa celebrations and […]
Today is the Virgin of Guadalupe’s day. December 12th. Last night, two streets down, our neighbors held the last novena for the Guadalupe and sang songs to her from 7PM until… well, they are still singing. I awoke several times during the night to the […]
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 […]
They call them Mega Bombas And there’s a bunch on this video – Along with the firing of the canons, The men battling, Exploding sledgehammers, and a few photos. 2011 Sledgehammer Fireworks from Suzanne da Rosa on Vimeo. 2011 Sledgehammer Fireworks Festival from Suzanne da […]
You hear the din of battle next to the church, the sound of rockets booming and you feel the ground shaking from five blocks away. Each Carnaval, in the tiny town of San Juan de la Vega Mexico, there is a re-enactment of a 400+ year […]
Last week we found a luchador wrestler pinata and bought it thinking we would have one for the kids on our street at new years. Yesterday, we went next door and got 10 year old Ariel to come fill the pinata. When he was done […]
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 […]
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 […]
On the way into town yesterday, at the bottom of our hill, we ran into a several groups of mariachis singing to a statue of Santa Cecelia, who was resting on a litter, garnished in flowers, carried by two modern young women, chewing bubble gum. […]
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 […]
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 […]
I can never resist getting video of the sounds that people produce here. Whether it’s to announce a service or part of a festival or parade, the heaviest of rains or to sell cigarettes, cigars and candy Like the man who sells these At his […]
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 […]
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 […]
Twice this week, While walking down the hill from my swim There have been major events in the Jardin. On Monday, the entire area was covered In big white tarps, shade cloth, A stage and bleachers With go-go dancers on the stage Wearing red and yellow Singing […]
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 […]
Following up on the sounds of Mexico #1 Today started out very quietly At 8:15 with our local milk seller Who carried two tin milk cans On either side of his donkey Ladling it into your own container I’m sure it’s not pasteurized. As he leaves […]
Every time I get a little theme going (…sounds) Something else comes up that doesn’t quite fit But has it’s own merits. This morning, as we were walking out the door, We were greeted by two horses. Now we don’t live in centro, But we […]
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 […]