New Years 2010!
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 […]
Tag: neighbors
Singing in Spanish #5
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 […]
Singing in Spanish #4
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 […]
Singing in Spanish #3
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 […]
Singing in Spanish #2
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 […]
Singing in Spanish #1
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 […]
Community Altar
There’s too much going on today with getting ready to go up to the States tomorrow for Andreas’ first birthday to write a big post, but here’s a short follow up on the last few days with some photos from yesterday. I spent most of […]
Six Months Later
I met up with Elvia and her four daughters at the cemetery today. She was late so I waited in front for an hour, arms full of flowers – you know me by now, trying to video people coming in with flowers, buckets, shovels, eating […]
Dia de los Muertos
The preparations have begun There are flower sellers everywhere. Home altars are being created, Car repair, shoe and small tiendas Have transformed into flower shops. You can’t avoid the papel picado banners or skeletons. Although Monday is officially the day, Families are already in the […]
Baby Bird
Ok, this is one you kind of had to be there for – We have a tile roof that houses Three to four nests of baby finches each year . Last month, you could see the parents Crawling in and out of the downspout, Going […]
When You Turn three..
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 […]
More Sounds of Mexico
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 […]
More Sounds
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 […]
Sounds Of Our Neighborhood
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 […]
Birthday Party and Mananitas at Midnight
Today was a happy day on our street. Kevin, Petra’s grandson, Whose family lives with her, Turned two years old today. By 6:30pm there were about 75 people at the house This is only the first round of people though. Besides having a huge […]
More Old Wives Tales, or La Brujeria
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 […]
The Final Novena
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 […]
Influenza, Day 7, 6pm, Empty Streets
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 […]
The Novenas and a Tragedy
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 […]
Maricela, Rest in Peace
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, […]
Barking Dogs & Solutions
We are in our second round of dealing with An untrained, incessant barking dog. She’s a boxer Our neighbors are really nice and we like them. After I returned from the states in November, John informed me That we have another barker on the street. […]
Atotonilco – New World Heritage Site
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 […]