A Pall of Z

I'm sure I'm not the only resident who feels as though they've been living in a war zone the last few days with the endless skyrockets so loud they set off car alarms in a six-block radius. Thanks to the new vendors in town. Asked a group lighting off skyrockets where they were from. PSSSSSST THWAMBOOOOOOM! From Chilpancingo they said. How nice they make a vacation and a pilgrimage in one. Used to be most peregrinos were from the immediate region, and most had bands, only a few had the occasional tiny bottle rocket. PSSSSST POP!

The best part, besides going to the local church and seeing all the little kids and lots of your friends if ya got'em, is watching the scene on TV from the Basílica de Guadalupe in Tepeyac from 11:30 pm until just after midnight as the creme de la creme of Mexico's famous singers pay homage in song to Guadalupe. One after the other until they all join together with millions of peregrinos and sing Las Mañanitas at the stroke of midnight. This is a time-honored tradition, and Mexican families around the world tune in to enjoy this reverent cultural tradition. If you missed it you'll have to wait until next year. If you've never seen it then you're missing part of the heart and soul of what it is to be Mexican.

As we get ready for visiting family we always make sure our azotea has plenty of seating so they can sun and relax here at home. A sight that caught my eye was the pall of smoke from all the skyrockets last night. I was surprised to see so much. Usually only on New Years morning do we see this.