Guatemala welcomed me in the first night, and many nights following that, with fireworks right outside the window-- so loud I thought they were gunshots. Never one to be outdone by it's neighbor, Mexico welcomed me in with live Mariachi music going full blast at the stroke of midnight, Tuesday's crack of dawn. And while Christmas has long ago lost it's charm for me, there was something magically nostalgic in awakening in the middle of the night with amazement at the gift you're about to get. Not to mention,stumbling up the stairs blindly groping for the balcony,hair a la llorona, and in pajamas( pajamas precisely because they are clothes not fit to be seen in public) doesn't hurt to bring back those childhood fuzzies either. Maybe it's the classic Mexican cinema class I'm taking, but I was absolutely and completely tickled five different shades of pink to awake to real live mariachis in the middle of the night, serenading the entire neighborhood, intentionally or not! Having only seen Mariachis in restaurants and weddings, which in itself I consider quite a privilege, to go out and and peer into the stars through the darkened street to the best sounding fiesta you've ever heard complete with ayi-yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis from a 12 piece ensemble is surreal.
When I was traveling throughout South America I met several people on Round-the-World Tickets, or spending half a year or more just traveling throughout Latin America. I always had to ask them where their favorite destination had been after seeing so much. It's not so surprising the most common answer was Mexico, in a way promoting my own return to discover Mexico in all it's splendor.
Why Mexico? The answers circled around: the warmness and hospitality of the Mexican people, the food, stunning country landscapes, and the overwhelmingly rich and varied culture. In a country that has it all, they have moved forward without displacing traditions from the past. Mañanitas are still sung at midnight to serenade loved ones into the next day, Mariachi's still crowd the Zocalo, or central square late Friday and Saturday night serenading lovers and couples. The Zocalo, itself is still a place to gather, to laugh, to dance, and to seduce lovers or introduce singles.
It feels great to be back (yes, there are firecrackers frequently going off. And yes, I still jump every time trying resist the urge to duck and cover.) Only this time around I don't care what time the neighbors are celebrating or how loudly, as long as they continue provide the Mariachis.Que viva la tradiciones mexicanas! Long live the music, and the culture, and the fiesta!
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