Last weekend we Mexicans celebrated another Independence Day. While most of what I personally see on my Facebook page, social media, and the news is complains about the "system," the new taxes on dog food, and chewing gum amongst others, I got also to see a whole country that celebrates their independence day with love and pride.
From my window I was able to hear the "Viva Mexico!!" cheering by the children at school followed by mariachi music. I couldn't resist! I walked to school to check out the happenings. Most of the kids were dressed in the Mexican regalia, even the big high schoolers wore their charro costumes with big green, white, and red bow ties at their necks. The cutest of them all were the little boys and girls wearing Mexican hats ad big mustaches. On the way back I couldn't feel other but happy looking at all the Mexican decorations adorning the houses in the neighborhood.
I wish I took pictures of how the neighborhood looked but sometimes it's better to take it all in instead of stopping to look at it through the lense of a camera.
The next day we went for our usual walk in downtown. I was told that the "Concheros" were in town and that we may like to take a look at this tradition. So we went, and I'm so happy we did. It was amazing.
The concheros came from all over Mexico and some parts of the US as well. It was amazing to look at their dances in circular formations. I read that there are ranks in the groups, military style. They go through a ritual that goes from burning some sort of incense to a dancing trance.
Every body dances: the parents, the grandparents, the children. Their vestments are amazingly colorful and evoke the deities they dedicate their dances to: the sun, the universe, the animals, and the elements.
This is the Mexico that inspires me, these are the colors I always choose to work with.
I wouldn't lie to you, I feel proud of my country (not my only country though...) I'm happy that people here is willing to celebrate with all their might their heritage, and who we are as a country. There's still a lot of work to make this a better place but in the meantime people doesn't forget their roots and their place in the universe.
Isn't this awesome?!?!
* All pictures in this post were taking for my fairy #1. Being almost 13, she enjoyed this experience as well. I think she did pretty awesome.