May fiestas

Early May seems to be filled with fiestas, holidays and celebrations. As in much of Europe, May 1st is celebrated as Labour Day in Mexico. Actually, in Europe, May 1st was also celebrated by socialists and Marxists, the main reason that the US and Canada established a different date for labour day. At one time the Catholic Church tried to steal the thunder of socialists by celebrating May 1st in honour of the Virgin Mary. I remember when I was growing up that there would be a big parade down the main street in Windsor with loudspeakers blaring out “Hail Mary”. Of course, in England for centuries, it was May Day, a night for dancing and cavorting. It may have been derived from a pre-Christian fertility rite. Although we heard that there would be parades in Chapala and Guadalajara, there did not seem to be much on; as it was a Saturday, there did not seem to be any closing of businesses, etc. But with the other fiestas listed below, it was a long weekend for many Mexicans.

Monday, May 3rd, was Holy Cross Day and a day for construction workers to celebrate. Either the night before or very early on the day, they place a highly decorated cross on the highest point of the building they are working on. They put one on the house they are rebuilding across the street. All serious work stops for the day as the workers drink and eat into the small hours of the morning. Also, starting about noon, but really getting going in the evening, are the rocket firecrackers. It was interesting because the blasts were coming from all directions from different construction sites, some fairly close and some farther away. They weren’t celebrating across the street, but there were firecrackers on the street behind us. I’m not sure how long they went on; when I went to sleep about 10:30, there were still occasional blasts, although none too close. Lily is very frightened by the firecrackers and hid under the bed at times.

May 5th is a national holiday. It celebrates the Battle of Pueblo in 1862; a Mexican army defeated a French force sent to Mexico by Napoleon III to install Maximilian as emperor of Mexico. The battle was not decisive as the French later prevailed in capturing Mexico City and installed Maximilian with help from Mexican monarchists in 1864. Maximilian’s government was not recognized by most nations and his empire short-lived. Mexican resistance by liberal forces continued and when French troops were withdrawn, the regime collapsed in 1867. Maximilian, who refused to leave with French troops, was captured and executed. His wife, Carlotta, who had urged him to stay and fight for their empire, later went mad. Cinco de Mayo is not really that big a deal in most of Mexico (except maybe in the state of Pueblo) and there was not much in the way of official observances. It is more celebrated in the US where many mistakenly believe it is Mexico’s Independence Day. The latter is celebrated on Sept. 16th to celebrate the start of the war for independence from Spain in 1810. Nevertheless, this year the schools (at least in our area) were closed from Monday through Wednesday.

May 10th is also a big day--Mothers’ Day.. It is always on the 10th, this year on Monday. Many families hire singers or mariachi groups to come to the house to serenade their mothers, often in the wee hours of the morning. We didn’t notice anything like that last year in our neighbourhood; about half of the residents in La Floresta are Mexican, but the houses are spread out here. In Ajijic and other areas that are more Mexican, the custom is alive and well. In the older pueblos (towns) houses are much closer together. We have heard of ex-pats complaining about the noise and losing their sleep. Poor babies! Letitia asked if it would be ok to come later next Monday as there is a special do for mothers at school where her children go.

This is the hottest time of the year. We have noticed it the last few days. The highs are not hotter (29-30.5º C; 85-87º F). However, it is not cooling off as much at night. In the mornings, it had been about 15-16º C. This morning it was 19 C (66 F). We have been using the fan the last 3 nights or so.

Tonight, our friend, Sonia, is returning to her house in Ajijic for 2 weeks. We are gong to pick her up at the airport.