Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

I want to share these scenes which help you "see" the music, dance and entertain which proceeded and followed the Grito for Independence tonight in the Ajijic plaza. Similar ceremonies were held in plazas all over the country with church bells pealing out the news of Independence in tiny pueblos and in the country's biggests cities.

Above left are three children I spotted yesterday in Chapala. I loved their costumes and rosy, made-up cheeks. Above Right--this flag was nearly larger than the child who waited to wave it.

Crowding the plaza in Ajijic tonight was the largest crowd I've ever seen at Independence Eve ceremonies, and instead of the usual 6 or 8 foreigners, there was really a good representation of the foreign community present. The folkloric dancers had come from Jamay to present a pair of dances from Nayarit. Those guys are dancing while holding, swinging, twirling, throwing and flipping machetes! Do not try this at home!












This energetic dance troupe was a real crowd pleaser. The girls were pretty, the boys were cute, the dresses swirled and twirled and the smiles on all of the dancers looked not only charming, but sincere.

It was obvious they were all having a really good time, as were we.
I'm not sure who enjoyed it more--the audience or the dancers.


There were six entrants in the 2007 singing competition. The winner is chosen by the crowd's applause. Some years picking the best is very easy. This year with Nacho and Salvador Hinojosa, Mario Farrias plus one more male and two female contenders, picking the best was tough.

Both of the Hinojosa brothers made a good showing--their voices are so rich and so true and pure. Mario was a crowd pleaser with jokes (slightly off color) woven into his song and his dancing antics.
The deep rich voice of the first female contender reminded me of many of Mexico's favorite old female singers of ranchero music, but when the last contestant--the other woman--started singing a song about the rebozo--the typical Mexican shawl, it was obvious that she had something special.

The judges required a elimination round in order to determine whether Mario or that last lady were the winners of the competition...in the end the lady walked away the winner and Mario is left to come back another day. Perhaps next year he'll perform his favorite tune, "Mariachi Loco."











The patriotic Grito ceremony began in earnest with the arrival of the runners bearing the Flame of Independence. Runners left Guanajuato nearly two days ago and have carried the flame to all parts of the Republic, symbolizing the way the battle for Independence spread across the country.

At left above, the runners have arrived. Above Right: Delegado Anselmo holds the Mexican Flag in the center of the photo.

Once the runner's flame had been used to ignite a large flame of freedom in the plaza, our favorite computer guy, Martin Leal read the beautiful "Yo Soy Mexicano." Finally Delegado Anselmo began the traditional litany of Vivas. By the time he ended with the three waves of Viva Mexico! The Respose from the crowd was deafening. Everyone roared, "VIVA!!"

Moments later the crowd joined in singing the Mexican National Anthem and then the fireworks, horns and church bells started, all at the same time. It was a wonderful display of fireworks and shooting them from the top of the Casa de Cultura gets them to a wonderful fantage point.

The giant band hired for the dance that began at midnight hadn't yet taken the stage as we edged through the crowd to find an empty space and then enough room to head on home. We'll leave the dancing till dawn to those better equipped for it than we are--hard as it is for us to admit that.

Viva Mexico! VIVA!

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Judy King is publisher of  Mexico Insights' Living at Lake Chapala, a monthly online magazine for people interested in Mexico's Lake Chapala region, in the state of Jalisco.

Judy, a 16-year resident of Ajijic on Lake Chapala's north shore, conducts weekly newcomer's seminars, shares her expertise about Mexico in her monthly online magazine, and in the "Mexico Lindo" column for the Lake Chapala Review.

Judy also is a speaker for local organizations and visiting tour groups about the Lakeside area and Mexican customs and holidays.