Traditions

This is a very special year for the Ajijic Chili Cook-Off. It is the 40th year. It started out very small at the Old Posada Restaurant which is next to the malecon. At that time the restaurant was owned by the Eager family. Morley Eager was so into it that he hired an elephant and headed the parade by riding on it. Unfortunately, he is no longer alive but his spirit lives on. Paper Mache...

The Fat Tuesday parade is the biggest parade here.  Also known as the Mardi Gras parade, famous throughout the world as an occasion for wild abandon. In New Orleans, they throw beads. Here, they throw flour. Flour is much less expensive than beaded necklaces and far more fun. Meaning that flour is a real mess. After the parade, all along the parade route, it looks like there was a snow storm. And what a...

The Sangre Viva Festival was held in the Ajijic Plaza and some things also took place on the Ajijic malecon from Friday, January 26, 2018 through Sunday, January 28th, 2018.  Sangre Viva, literally means Blood Live. Interesting name for a festival. It was created to celebrate the PreHispanic culture. Does it mean that the blood is alive in the indigent people? Or that the blood flows through the lives...

Revolution Day is always the third Monday of November. This year it happened on November 20th which is the day it began on November 20th in 1910. It was a revolt against president Porfirio Diaz. He was president for thirty five years from 1876 through 1911. He had a stranglehold over the country, taking everything away from the poor Mexicans and giving all the riches to himself and his friends....

The Day of the Dead is actually many days with exciting things happening every day. Starting with the Thriller Dance which I wrote about in the previous article. But then there was a zombie parade, and altars for the dead loved ones are set up around town. Wreaths are sold all over town. It is an exciting time of the year. Unfortunately, I was sick. And I only made it to the Thrill the World dance....

The Day of the Dead season often starts out with the Thrill the World Dance. It was held this year on Saturday the 28th of October at four p.m. In the Ajijic Plaza. Anyone can become part of the dance. All you have to do is watch for the signs that show up a few weeks before the dance of the registration, times and days of the rehearsals. Cortlandt Jones You may be wondering why this handsome...

The Rebozo (Shawl) parade was the last of the Independence Day Celebrations. The Globos are at the beginning of the holiday, on the Saturday before the 16th of September Independence Day Parade. And the Bebozo Parade is always after the big parade. It is on the 17 of September. In between these two celebrations there are several others. Plus, many of the restaurants create their own celebrations and...

Combate de Flores, translated, it means flower fight. But actually it is the story of romance. The romance of the way Ajijic was in the past and how it is now. It is also about how the young people used to court each other. And as you may see in the photos below, some current courting going on. Dancing Couple I am going to write as much as I can remember or read of my own notes, the stories that...

After a few months of the rainy season, the Globos Festival kicks off many holidays and hopefully, less rain. Bring on the sunshine! I am ready. And this was one of the prettiest days of the Globos I have ever experienced. There were no signs of rain. Just fluffy white clouds. It was perfect for sending up the fantastic paper mache creations. The first two photos are of the ones belonging to...

The Verbena Celebration was held at the Ajijic Plaza on April 9th, Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday. Verbena has several meanings. It is a flowering plant that has 250 different species in it. It is a carnival. Also an agricultural show, amusement park and dance party. But I think dance party is the most appropriate meaning at this celebration. I didn't stay for the dancing, which was after...