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[Guy Courchesne]

What's going on in your neck of the Mexican woods?

Last year, the traditional Zocalo grito de independencia by the President was moved to Dolores, Hidalgo because of the 2006 election protest camps. I've never been to the main show in Mexico City...so I'll try it this year, though I'm not sure Calderon has the voice for it.

[thelmadatter]

I went the year before last and had a really good time. Last year, because of all the hub-bub, I decided against it and went to Toluca's shindig instead. Big mistake. Toluque�os are crazy on El Grito and not in a good way. DF was much better and much more enjoyable since I didnt have to worry about people throwing foam, eggs or anything else in my face.

I dont expect trouble this year so I would like to try the Zocalo again. I dunno if Felipe has the voice either - doesnt have a voice like Fox's but with the wonders of modern technology, who knows what they could rig up?

[Samantha]

We�ll be trying to stay dry. Last year we had a hurricane on Sept 16th. That was no fun. HENRIETTE passed by yesterday leaving us a little wet, so maybe this year we will get to celebrate. We normally steer clear of El Grito as the plaza is way too small for all the attendees. The colonias must be completely empty on this night.

[MELEE]

[Guy Courchesne]

I spent the 2005 Independence day at one of Mexico City's delegations...the head of the delegation, or borough in English, does the grito. Zocalo lite it was, but still full of people, food, games, and fun.

But, people were still throwing things, mostly eggs emptied of their yolks and filled with confetti. Melee, Thelmadatter, you two must be party-poopers. I'd been thinking about holding a mini tomatina for a get together, but perhaps I should rethink it.

I brought a bag of those eggs up for my mother to hold onto...she saved them for nearly a year waiting for an expected Mexican guest who was to be in my hometown the following Sept. 15. Sure enough, she splatted several on his head come the noche del grito albeit in Canada. A complete surprise and a nice reminder of home.

[Phil_K]

I always think that as the Mexicas seemed to be a much more civilized people (human sacrifice apart!) than after being corrupted by the Spanish conquerors, it's a pity that they didn't return to those values when they regained independence. I don't want to be a party-pooper, but it's an interesting reflection that Mexicans jingoistically celebrate their country on one hand, and then I sit in on many conversations where they are complaining to each other about this, that and the other that is bad in Mexico! I sit and listen for a while and then I say, "Dime algo bueno acerca de tu pa�s", which is met with a shrug and "pues, s�" ... and they never do.

[MO39]

The only time I celebrated Independence Day in Mexico was maybe 20 years ago, at the Z�calo in Coyoac�n. It was heartfelt and happy and not too crowded. Afterwards, I remember eating a killer freshly-fried bu�uelo and wandering around the downtown area taking in the sights.

[hlamb]

My first Independence Day was two years ago in San Andres Tuxtla, in Veracruz. I got a bit freaked out by the flaming bull that ran through the crowd chasing the men and the fireworks aimed at the crowd. Last year in Cuernavaca was much more fun and a little safer. It was also my first night in the city so it was memorable for many reasons. This year we may go to Tepotzlan but don't have firm plans yet.

[Samantha]

OMG....the flaming bull?? I will never complain about noise again!!

[thelmadatter]

me??? a party pooper???? Im gonna cry. Im always up for a good food fight.

[MELEE]

Sam!
Come south and east and we will show you why fireworks are called juegos pirotecnicos. They are interactive, especially the torritos, I can easily arrange for you to carry one if you like.

[TheLongWayHome]

Think I'll give it a miss thereby avoiding the borrachera in the centre and also getting mamed by said juegos pirotecnicos.

[Guy Courchesne]

[veroax]

melee said... "Come south and east and we will show you why fireworks are called juegos pirotecnicos. They are interactive, especially the torritos, I can easily arrange for you to carry one if you like."

Last year I celebrated Day of the Dead with some students in a little nearby village that is known for it's elaborate altars. There was a dance show in the evening, and afterward they announced that it was time to clear away the chairs so the children could play with the pyrotechnics bull. I thought to myself, "Clearly I misunderstood that." Then... out came the pyrotechnics bull, spraying sparks and swirly little fireworks, and the children played with it. I had no idea this was done anywhere else. Definitely one of the most amusingly surreal things I've ever seen. I should put that on the list of things I love about Mexico. The totally unexpected.

[MELEE]

In Ecuador, Torritos de Luces (as they are called in the Mixteco) are called Vacas Locas, and are actually life size! (here they are about 1/4 life size) and 4 men carry them. The first requirement for being one of the 4 is to be rip roaringly drunk! Here in Mexico, I've always seen the torritos run in and area especially set aside for this event, like a street running down the side of the church, with warning to any who don't want to be envolved to clear out. In Ecuador the Vaca Loca ran through the main crowd, I even saw a busca pies spinning firework land on the stage where a band was playing, the back up singers had to stamp out the fire!

While torritos are thrilling, I perfer the castles, here is some guy's blog entery about one of the coolest castillos I've ever seen.