A Few Highlights from a wonderful season

 

This little guy recited a long and beautiful poem during the cultural events for El Senor de Equipulas in January.

The beginning of the procession- the beloved El Senor leaves the church accompanied by the standard bearers and parishioners.

Another big hit from the weekend festivities, the Gigantes warm up the crowd.

   

The Three Kings party for Oaxaca Street Children is always a really big event, but this was the first year we were able to attend.  Here we are with our youngest godchild, Cristobol.  We have known him and his eight brothers and sisters for three years.

The beautiful and very intelligent, Primitiva Flores, who graduated from college in March.  You may remember her brother's graduation two years ago when we met their parents who came to Oaxaca from the Sierra Sur, 8 hours from the city.

Cristobol and his friend who is holding his sister's gift, a doll with a hair dryer that makes a noise and really blows air.  Hopefully there was some battery remaining when he got it home to her - as you can see, the boys loved playing with the toy.

We finally met Eric, an 18 year old student we have sponsored for the last two years.  He will finish high school this year and enter the military to train as a pilot.  He is very focused and talented, swims, and has had his photos selected for a calendar.  Alan and I thoroughly enjoyed having dinner with this well mannered young man who could not thank us enough for helping him meet his school costs.

Another favorite pastime for us is visiting the libraries that are sponsored by Libros Para Pueblos.  It is such a treat to see the kids get so excited about learning.  Here Alan and another friend listen to the kids reading from their favorite books.

They like having their picture taken almost as much as they like to read to us.

Julie and I in San Augustin during the Libros Para Pueblos trip.

Alan takes a picture of himself with the cool kids 

La Vela - The Isthmus Celebration

Here I am with Luz and Erica outside the church of Carmen Alto after mass with our gifts for participating in the procession.  We are wearing the traditional clothing of the Isthmus of Tehauntapec as this is a day to honor their traditions.  Luz is the director and owner of the Spanish language school that I attend; Espanol Interactivo, and she loves to share the traditions of Oaxaca with her students.  When she invited us, Suzanne, Jane and I weren't sure if we would feel comfortable or that we would be welcomed by the other participants. 

We needn't have worried, we were welcomed with open arms.  Get in line, girls, we are off to the zocalo!  All the way down to the center of town, one woman would shout "Viva Oaxaca!" and then the rest of us would shout "Viva!  or "Viva San Blas". . ."Viva!" or "Viva el Istmo de Tehauntapec!". . ."Viva!"  etc. 

  

Can you spot the two gringas?  Suzanne and Jane were in a different section of the procession, but we were all parading down the beautiful pedestrian street from the church to the main plaza.  Much to our delight there were lots of visitors lining the streets and they were all very taken by the beautiful dresses and the spirit of the event. We were wondering how many tourist photos we were in that day.

Once we were in the zocalo, we danced while little boys held the beautiful religious banners that accompanied us down the street.  We were walking in the section behind St. Blaize, or San Blas as he is called down here.

The little ones show how it is done: these children were as well behaved as they were beautiful

"Viva las chicas!"

Erica, Luz's daughter,  and I at the Club de Leones where the party was held after the procession.  We estimated that there were close to 500 people and almost every woman was dressed in the traditional clothing.  It was unbelievably colorful, festive and really fun! 

Suzanne helps Stan to get spiffy.  After a bottle of Corona to refresh ourselves, and some delicious food, we headed out to the dance floor.

Gladys, with her daughter-in-law, and Luz at our table of ten.  The little Coronas just kept coming- a case at a time!  The waiters would bring them and set them on the floor where they stayed chilled in the box. The music was great and of course we couldn't resist.  We danced most of the time we were there!  We heard that the party went on for many hours after we left, but after six hours we gringos were exhausted.

One of the many beautiful children at the party.

There were three bands so the music was non-stop, and so was Stan! 

Of course, we had a fabulous time.  Muchas gracias, Luz!  "Viva las amigas !". . ."Viva!"

Carnival 2013, San Martin Tilcajete

Carnival, the festival of the flesh, takes place on the day before Lent.  Last Tuesday, February 13, we celebrated in a big way in the village of San Martin Tilcajete, about 40 minutes from the city of Oaxaca.  Many of the young people switch their gender for the day to dress up, have a lot of fun and celebrate with dancing and a parade through the village.

Animals and monsters were another theme for the day.  This creature amazed us in many ways; he really looked great as you can see.  However, the event was held at noon and lasted at least two hours - we were hot in our light shirts and shorts!

A cool couple

The tail end of the revelers in costume as they head out of the town square and up through the village streets to a spot where a large tent has been set up to feed everyone.  The white bucket is filled with candy and treats that are tossed out to the crowd and spectators.

No kidding around, it was hot and dusty, but we loved every minute as we made our way through the dirt streets,       encouraged by  the  loud band.

Stan got in on the action and fun.

Silliness was all around . . .

. . . and the "wedding" delighted everyone who gathered under the tent.  The parts that we understood were funny, but judging from the laughter, the parts we didn't understand were even funnier.

I don't think she got the jokes either.

The delighted audience

Can there be such a thing as too much purple?

Another good joke

Some of the diablitos, or little devils, another custom of the day.

Boys smear oil or tar on themselves and travel around the village trying to scare people.  They also have cowbells tied on their waists so there is a great deal of noise as they run.  Watch out, tall gringo!

A diablito with a great sense of style and attitude.

The village of San Martin is known for their fantastic wood carvings and there are many workshops that sell these alibrijes. So much creativity in such a small place!

 

Boys just want to have fun!

Christmas, Oaxaca Style

The Posada is an annual tradition in the main plaza each Christmas eve.  It commemorates Mary and Joseph's search for an inn so Mary could give birth.  Many children dress in their honor and there are plenty of angels, too.

The Oaxacans never tire of the false mustache and beard look as evidenced by this Rasta Man Joseph.

Nor is there any event without fireworks!

One of the many angels, this one riding on a float.

The youngest Mary.

Of course there were plenty of traditional dancers and loud exciting bands.  Usually the dancers carry baskets of live flowers on their heads, this was the first time I've seen the baskets with lighted candles inside cellophane shapes.

A young shepherd

 

One of the bands and a gigante on their way home after a few hours of parading.

Another of the many gigantes entertains the crowds

The Three Kings came on horseback

Three Gringas were there as well.

Julie tossing a confetti filled egg, another tradition.

A great time was had by all!

Christmas dinner the next day on our patio with friends.

Alan and I send you our love and best wishes for a healthy and happy 2013!