Sights and Sounds of Mexico

When I first came to Mexico as a visitor more then forty years ago, many of the sounds of Mexico were captivating.  They still are.  Brooms sweeping.  Church bells ringing. Children laughing and singing.  And, music most of the time.

This morning as I opened the gates to pull the car out of the garden and park it on the street, my greeting
was balloons, tissue paper flowers along with lots and lots of parents entering the primary school grounds
for the Fiesta de Madre.  Much laughter could be heard, as the excitement could be felt. 

Scurrying to get my coffee and head up to the roof terrace, I had a bird's eye view of all the dancing, singing and laughter of all.  What a heartwarming sight.  Two hours later, the parents and children have left leaving all quiet on the home front.

It is a treasure never to know from one day to the next what is going to happen here in this joyful place.
Although I did not get photos of the festivities this morning, here are a few photos of scenes we see from
time to time in San Miguel de Allende.

Papel picado is used often for decorations and is an inexpensive way to add color and joy to a celebration.
They are hung in homes for a celebration or in the gardens or as seen above, strung across streets or large
spaces as these were hung for the festivities of Dia de Muertos, Day of the Dead in November.

Balloons, tissue paper flowers and of course fireworks are other sights and sounds that we experience not only at fiestas but spontaneously, sometimes for no reason that is apparent.

The photo below was not taken by me but an unknown person experiencing the Semana Santa, Easter,
festivities that last over two weeks. The ubiquitous tissue paper flowers flutter over the doorway.  These are seen all over town when their is a festival in a colonia.  The draping around the nicho with the cross was part of the ceremony when the Stations of the Cross were said and honored during Semana Santa.On the shelf are flowers and on the street is chamomile.  At the largest parades, not only is their chamomile, but flower petals and other fragrant leaves so that as the participants in the processions walk on it, the fragrance permeates the area.  A lovely experience.

And, of course, the Roman soldier who is participating in this procession.  There are many of them who are honored to be asked and participate.  Often, I'm told, that they started out as children in the choir in these
processions.  Each year some other role can be theirs until the greatest honor is to be asked to portray
Jesus on Good Friday.  Quite a sight and tradition.

Even though I have been in San Miguel for many, many years, it still enthralls me to walk out the door and be in another world.  The surreal world of Mexico, where I am welcomed unequivocally.

Viva Mexico!