Tonight is the big night. At about 11 p.m in every city, town and village in Mexico, there will be a reenactment of Fr. Hildago’s call for rebellion against Spain for independence; it is called “El grito” or ‘the shout’. No one knows for sure what Hildago actually said and it almost certainly was not a declaration of independence. At that point, 1810, Napoleon had invaded Spain, deposed the king and installed his own replacement. Thus, they were not really rebelling against the real king. However, the Mexican born Spanish, referred to as ‘Creoles’, were very resentful of the fact that the Spanish born in Spain were dominant. Actually, those who responded to Hildago were mestizos (mixed parentage) and ‘Indios’, who were even more repressed than the Creoles. In Mexico during the Spanish imperial period, there was a rigid, racial hierarchy. In the ensuing 11 years during the war until independence was recognized, both sides were guilty of great brutality. At the time of Hildago's grito, there was no 'Mexico'; it was part of New Spain. However, by long established tradition, at the end of the ‘grito’ reenactment everyone, including the entire crowd, shouts, “Viva Mexico!” three times. Then there are fireworks, followed by dancing etc. late into the night. Tomorrow there are big parades in most towns.
Most restaurants feature a special dinner, chilies en nogada. This features the colors of the Mexican flag--red, white and green--stuffed poblana pepper, white rice and red pomegranate seeds. In 2008, we went out, but this year we are home tonight; tomorrow we are taking Sonia to Chac-Lan, the restaurant up the mountain in San Juan Cosalá as she has not been there. It has a wonderful view of the lake and sunsets are gorgeous.
Last Saturday the Regata de Los Globes was held; globo is the Spanish word for balloon. This is the annual event featuring the tissue paper, hot air balloons. They are powered by burning wads of cotton soaked in kerosene fastened near the bottom of the balloons. Here are a few photos of this year. As you can see, some are really large and spectacular. The one with the long cylinder like the Mexican flag and with 'Centenario' actually did very well and flew very high and far. The big fancy ones often don't make it because they have to be balanced well or they start to swing; then, they catch on fire. Teams come from various places in Mexico with balloons that they have taken months to make. It starts about 3 p.m. and goes until dark with dozens and dozens of
balloons. Many fail to make it and burn. However, others do make it and remain air borne for half an hour and travel to great heights and distances until they are mere dots in the sky. We brought the twins; Fatima had been misbehaving and was not allowed to go with us. Of course, it is pure Mexico as authorities north of the border would never allow such an event as too dangerous.
We had a small tragedy this past week. Each year, swallows build nests and raise young. This year (as last) a pair built a nest in our entrance. Their droppings create a bit of a mess, but it’s not something we worry about. Also, it is against the law to knock down nests, although lots of people do it. A couple of days ago, we went out and noticed 4 little heads peering over the edge and down. We thought it very cute, but it was more serious than that. Apparently, the chicks were looking for their parents, but none showed up all day. By bedtime, we noticed one chick had fallen out and was dying. In fact by noon next day, all 4 were dead or had disappeared. The next day we did see adult birds inspecting the nest, apparently the parents, but it was too late. It was too bad as the chicks had lots of feathers and I expect would have fledged in a week or so. This was the second brood as 3 had fledged in July before we went to Canada. We don’t know what happened or why. This is about the time of year that the swallows all disappear; they return just at the start of the rainy season.
Tonight is the big night. At about 11 p.m in every city, town and village in Mexico, there will be a reenactment of Fr. Hildago’s call for rebellion against Spain for independence; it is called “El grito” or ‘the shout’. No one knows for sure what Hildago actually said and it almost certainly was not a declaration of independence. At that point, 1810, Napoleon had invaded Spain, deposed the king and installed his own replacement. Thus, they were not really rebelling against the real king. However, the Mexican born Spanish, referred to as ‘Creoles’, were very resentful of the fact that the Spanish born in Spain were dominant. Actually, those who responded to Hildago were mestizos (mixed parentage) and ‘Indios’, who were even more repressed than the Creoles. In Mexico during the Spanish imperial period, there was a rigid, racial hierarchy. In the ensuing 11 years during the war until independence was recognized, both sides were guilty of great brutality. At the time of Hildago's grito, there was no 'Mexico'; it was part of New Spain. However, by long established tradition, at the end of the ‘grito’ reenactment everyone, including the entire crowd, shouts, “Viva Mexico!” three times. Then there are fireworks, followed by dancing etc. late into the night. Tomorrow there are big parades in most towns. 
Most restaurants feature a special dinner, chilies en nogada. This features the colors of the Mexican flag--red, white and green--stuffed poblana pepper, white rice and red pomegranate seeds. In 2008, we went out, but this year we are home tonight; tomorrow we are taking Sonia to Chac-Lan, the restaurant up the mountain in San Juan Cosalá as she has not been there. It has a wonderful view of the lake and sunsets are gorgeous.
Last Saturday the Regata de Los Globes was held; globo is the Spanish word for balloon. This is the annual event featuring the tissue paper, hot air balloons. They are powered by burning wads of cotton soaked in kerosene fastened near the bottom of the balloons. Here are a few photos of this year. As you can see, some are really large and spectacular. The one with the long cylinder like the Mexican flag and with 'Centenario' actually did very well and flew very high and far. The big fancy ones often don't make it because they have to be balanced well or they start to swing; then, they catch on fire. Teams come from various places in Mexico with balloons that they have taken months to make. It starts about 3 p.m. and goes until dark with dozens and dozens of
balloons. Many fail to make it and burn. However, others do make it and remain air borne for half an hour and travel to great heights and distances until they are mere dots in the sky. We brought the twins; Fatima had been misbehaving and was not allowed to go with us. Of course, it is pure Mexico as authorities north of the border would never allow such an event as too dangerous.
We had a small tragedy this past week. Each year, swallows build nests and raise young. This year (as last) a pair built a nest in our entrance. Their droppings create a bit of a mess, but it’s not something we worry about. Also, it is against the law to knock down nests, although lots of people do it. A couple of days ago, we went out and noticed 4 little heads peering over the edge and down. We thought it very cute, but it was more serious than that. Apparently, the chicks were looking for their parents, but none showed up all day. By bedtime, we noticed one chick had fallen out and was dying. In fact by noon next day, all 4 were dead or had disappeared. The next day we did see adult birds inspecting the nest, apparently the parents, but it was too late. It was too bad as the chicks had lots of feathers and I expect would have fledged in a week or so. This was the second brood as 3 had fledged in July before we went to Canada. We don’t know what happened or why. This is about the time of year that the swallows all disappear; they return just at the start of the rainy season.
