Charreada

Since the month of September celebrates one of Mexico's two independence days (Sept. 16 and Nov. 16), Mexicans have figured out a way to make the celebrations last for a whole month. Beginning Sept. 1, various activities began in villages and cities all over the country, most of them featuring mariachi music, dancing, horses, and beautiful females. At the beginning of the month, vendors showed up on the street corners selling Mexican flags of all sizes, sombreros that say Viva Mexico, and drums and bugels. At the plaza and on many houses, the decorative paper banners hang, sort of like doilies but rectangular and in the colors of the flag. Bob and I went to this charreada in Ajijic at the bullring just a few blocks from our house, Friday, Sept. 7. We're not really sure how a charreada differs from a rodeo. There were some similar events--riding bucking broncos, roping bulls, lassoing young horses, etc.--but there seems to be more emphasis on horsemanship. The horses are magnificent, but we were really impressed with the young girls riding sidesaddle, dressed in their elaborate costumes. The youngest of the girls was only 4 years old, trotting around on a pony. The other girls are about 8-12. In one picture taken at the plaza later, there's Sophia and her little sister Marianna. A Mexican family with a little 4-year-old named Julianna sat next to us, and Julianna took a liking to me. When it began to rain a bit, her mother whipped out umbrellas and offered us one. Julianna told her mother that she was going to sit with me. We shared a bag of chips from a vendor in the stands. He opens the chips, then sprinkles chili powder and squeezes fresh lime juice on them in the bag. Yum! The charreado lasted for almost 3 hours. We went home just before the end, but headed out to the plaza about 8:30 that night for the mariachi bands and to watch the promenades. Beautiful sights and sounds with the music, the children playing and running around. A real fiesta. Bob has a picture here of one little girl, dancing in place all by herself to the music of the mariachis. Charreada. For more photos, click here.