Día de Independencia

Happy Sept. 16th! Mexicans looove this holiday more than any other. Friday was a big day at school, unfortunately I forgot to charge my camera, but I still caught a couple pictures of my kids all dressed up Veracruz-style for their Bamba dance. All the kids were dressed up soooo cute, I absolutely loved the little boys decked out in full embroidered charro, Mexican cowboy, costumes. They cost like at least 100 bucks for just the mini costume, but they are amazing. So the kids were super cute and we did a parade for the parents so they could take a million pictures of their preciosos and videotape their every move. Then we made our way to the auditorium where they did their dances, so entertaining, my kids did real well, and then we all ate in the auditorium, which I must say, was utter chaos. An auditorium full of 3-5 year olds eating is just crazy. They spilled drinks, threw food, and decided to get up and play around when they were done and bored. Good times. Haha. It really wasnt that bad, just a little nuts, also there werent enough plates to go around and somehow the parents forgot to bring forks or napkins. Anyway, then the kids enjoyed a puppet show and played on the playground till their parents arrived at 1230. Tiring day but I wish the kids would dress up like that once a week. They are so adorable.
Yesterday we went to the Pachuca soccer game, Jenny, Stuart, and I and our Pachuca friend Christian and his 2 amigos. It was a good time and after the game we headed downtown for the big Grito. So the history of the Grito (Shout or Cry in English) is that Father Hidalgo, a national hero, gave his Grito de Dolores from a balcony on this night to call Mexicans to arms against the Spaniards. So in remembrance, the night before every Sept. 16 they reenact this cry and the governor, president, mayor of every major and minor town goes out on a balcony and shouts ¡Viva Mexico! (Long live Mexico!) and everyone in the crowd cries ¡Viva! So anyway we were making our way to the main plaza and quickly realized this would be very difficult. There were SOOO many people downtown we could barely move at times. It was crazy. There were amusement rides set up everywhere with no gates around them and if you weren´t careful you could just get wacked by a spinning teacup. Also, for the games of chance they were giving away as prizes little chicks dyed all different colors, quite shocking. So we finally made our way to the main plaza, got chocolate churros on the way, and got in the middle where we could see the balcony. We got there just in time for the flag ceremony and the pledge of allegiance and then Pachuca´s governor came out and in a great voice yelled ¨¡Mexicanos! ¡Viva Mexico! Viva Pachuca!! Viva los Niños Héroes! Viva Pachuca! Viva Mexico!¨ It was really exciting. Then the air filled with shaving cream that people were spraying. I wanted to laugh but had to keep my mouth closed in fear of getting a mouthful of foam. We all ducked. Then the fireworks and music began. They were all around us, it was pretty crazy. Then this huge theater near us lit up with fireworks and it was like a shower of fire, so dangerous. Then this huge structure to our left lit up, the fire spread from the bottom light until the whole thing was in flames and spelled ¨Hidalgo¨, our state, and then the state´s motto. But it was so dangerous and flaming flecks from the fireworks looked like they were coming right at us. Everyone started to run which was also dangerous because we were so packed in. This lasted like 2 minutes though and then the flames flickered out and we were all fine. But we couldn´t believe how unsafe it all was really. We had been warned before though and Christian told us afterwards that he used to go when he was little and he was always scared of it all. Anyway, what an experience, wouldn´t have missed it for the world, it was really exciting and we had a great time. Then we slowly made our way out again and ate some tacos before going home. Good times. Happy Independence Day!