Tag Archives: parades

Oct31

Halloween vs. Day of the Dead

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Halloween vs. Day of the Dead

Last year I was in Aguascalientes and the big celebration was Day of the Dead, not Halloween. The temperature has plummeted here in East Wenatchee although there is no snow. Some of the churches are having Trunk or Treat in their parking lots. The malls and the main streets downtown are inviting kids to come out when it’s still daylight.

I have different memories of Halloween. I remember wolfing down dinner so that I could hit the streets early with my friends. We knew who made the best homemade popcorn balls and candy apples on the block. Because it was usually so cold (occasionally snowy too), neighbors would invite us in to warm up and have some cocoa. One of my favorite costumes I wore as a kid was a clown costume.

Decades later I had my own kids. We’d decorate the house and bake Halloween cookies and a Halloween cake. My food colorings got quite a workout, especially the orange and purple. My kids had a variety of costumes throughout the years and our dog even had costumes.

When I lived in Mazatlan, Halloween had filtered down from the USA. But primarily the big celebration was Day of the Dead. I recall a parade where cans of beer were tossed out to the crowd. Yes, it was one of the livelier events, although we did dress up in costumes for a party at Casa del Cameron as well.

In Guadalajara we went to a haunted tour of a cemetery. But I preferred to stroll through cemeteries in the daylight. I viewed colorful altars and listened to festive music. Yes, people partied in the cemeteries as they awaited the visits from the spirits.

Tlaquepaque is probably my favorite place to be on Day of the Dead. There are streets lined with altars and live catrinas walking around. I recall building altars at the school where I was teaching.

Last year in Aguascalientes I went to the parade. It was a warm night and I delighted watching the amazingly decorated floats in Centro. The parade lasted almost three hours and was followed by fireworks.

This year I won’t be going to a parade. I will miss seeing the catrinas and the altars. But I still enjoy Halloween, especially the chocolate!

Nov3

Day of the Dead 2023

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Day of the Dead 2023

Today Facebook reminded me that on this date in 2008 I taught my first deep water aquafit class. I’d been teaching shallow water for a while but the workout is very different. Fifteen years ago I’d never even heard of Day of the Dead. But it has become one of my favorite celebrations in Mexico.

Throughout the years I’ve gone to cemeteries in different cities and built alters with students. I’ve eaten pan de muerto and seen many parades. I’ve taken hundreds of photos and videos and have incredible memories of spending time with people from all around the world, not only local Mexicans.

Last night I decided to attend the parade here in Aguascalientes for the first time. I braved the crowds of thousands and secured a perfect viewing spot on Madero near the Plaza in Centro. I’ve been to parades in Mazatlan, Culiacan, Rosarito, Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara and Zapotlanejo. This is the first time I saw people climbing trees or sitting on awnings and rooftops, adults and children alike. There’s nothing like watching a parade up close rather than on TV.

The obligatory police escorts and marchers signaled the beginning of the parade. I admit it was a little daunting at first watching tanks roll by. But they were tanks with friendly faces very different from the ones I’ve seen on newscasts from the Middle East. There were also an amazing number of police doing crowd control.

The floats were awesome! Colorful catrinas and catrins were the highlights. Musicians and dancers entertained the crowds. The costumes were sensational. Children and adults alike vied to catch the treats being thrown out to onlookers.

I’m a people watcher and saw many a face-painted person on the streets that night. The costumes were also interesting and worn by adults as well as children. Hawkers walked by selling all kinds of treats. I have to tell you, the amount of sugar being consumed around me was staggering.

After the parade, spectacular fireworks lit up the sky, a perfect ending to this Mexican celebration.

Sep20

Countdown

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Countdown

Less than three weeks and I’ll be back in Mexico. I finally booked flights the other day. While I prefer to fly inland to Guadalajara, the direct flight to Puerto Vallarta from Sea-Tac caught my eye. A bonus is that I can fly out of Pangborn here in Wenatchee so I can avoid TSA at Sea-Tac. Now we just hope there is no hurricane barreling up the coast.

This morning was my last writers’ group meeting until April. I’m really going to miss this group while I’m gone. I know. I’ve said that before. But everyone is such a great source of encouragement and inspiration. Two of our members are currently on the verge of publishing books. New people are coming to our meetings and our membership is growing. And we all write in such a variety of genres too. Today’s pieces ranged from science to memoirs and everything in between.

I spent the weekend with friends in Leavenworth. On the agenda was binge-watching Virgin River. This season isn’t quite as riveting but it is addictive nonetheless. Now I need to finish off the second season of Lincoln Lawyer and I’ll be ready to head south. In Mexico I tend to watch very little TV. When I do watch, it’s primarily in Spanish. Many of the programs and movies I watch are geared towards kids. I’ve never been able to get into the soaps that people recommend for practicing vocabulary and grammar. Of course I’ve never really gotten into soaps at all up here. The only exception is Guiding Light. I got hooked on that when I was pregnant and on bedrest and watched it until the show was cancelled back in 2009.

Today is a rather dreary rainy day and I think fall is here. The timing is actually perfect because I need to sort through clothes and decide what to take to Mexico. So I’ve gingerly moved my fall clothes to the front of my wardrobe along with some warmer hoodies. It will be hotter flying into Puerto Vallarta than into Guadalajara so I’ll have to figure that one out. Footwear will be easy. I’ll have to choose between pairs of New Balance. I think back to the days when I had a walk-in closet with shelves full of shoes. Now it’s just tennis shoes and sandals.

I registered for an online writers’ workshop out of New York. It happens next week and I remembered to put a reminder on my calendar for it. The topic is about writing powerful emotions. Now I just keep my fingers crossed that a conflict with the time won’t arise. New York is three hours ahead of Washington. I am sent a copy of the recording if I do miss it but doing it live is always better.

The Autumn Leaf Festival happens this weekend in Leavenworth. I’m debating going to the parade on Saturday but that will depend on the weather. I’m not quite sure how she does it, but Alexa seems to forecast better than the local weather apps. I’ll have to check with her later.

Happy Humpday!

Sep25

Last Saturday In Leavenworth For A While

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Last Saturday In Leavenworth For A While

It’s fall. The leaves are starting to change color. The temperature is dropping. And I’m down to my last two weeks here before returning to Mexico for the winter. This is always a bittersweet time of year. I love fall, but it’s getting harder and harder to leave. Friendships have grown over the years and so has my extended family.

I met friends in Leavenworth for one last Lions Club breakfast yesterday morning. The sun was shining and the smoke level was more tolerable than it’s been lately. We enjoyed a lovely meal of pancakes, sausages and eggs. Then we walked downtown to Front Street where Alpenfolk were performing at the gazebo. I have fond memories of the first time I ever saw them back in 2016 when I first discovered Leavenworth.

Next we walked up to the Senior Center where I saw friends I haven’t seen in a long time. Now that I live in East Wenatchee, I usually come back to Leavenworth twice a week to teach fitness classes. I no longer go to the Senior Center for lunches or to play bridge. Craft afternoons and music nights are history as well. Covid affected a lot of activities and I hope that maybe by next spring many of them will have resumed.

This weekend is also Autumn Leaf Festival. We enjoyed watching the Grand Parade from the shade of the veranda at the Senior Center. Some of the seniors who come to my fitness classes were on a float from Mountain Meadows and we waved at them enthusiastically as they passed by. I’m always amazed at all the high school bands who come from all over the state to play in the parade. There were also two small floats from Canada. One was from Penticton and the other from New Westminster. Beautiful flower arrangements adorned some of the horses in the parade.

I got a ride back to East Wenatchee from a friend who lives across the river in Wenatchee. Bob has lived in the valley for decades and I enjoy hearing his stories of what life was like before Highway 2 was built. Where stores and warehouses now line the road, vast empty fields once filled the land. The road to Wenatchee to Leavenworth meandered across both sides of what is now the new highway. We drove along the North Road to Peshastin before winding up on Highway 2, always a beautiful drive. And the high road up to East Wenatchee offers a picturesque view of Wenatchee.

I will miss Saturdays in Leavenworth. But I look forward to them again when I return in the spring.

Dec12

Christmas Is Close

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Christmas Is Close

We’re almost halfway through December and Christmas is in the air here in Aguascalientes. After all, who needs snow when sunshine and seventies prevail?

Yesterday I checked out the Christmas market at the Jardin de San Marcos. Jewelry, clothing, crafts, food and Christmas baking, pet supplies, perfumes, oils, toys and more.

I continued my walk along Carranzas and was delighted to see several horseback riders, although the traffic jam they caused along this main downtown street was something else.

When I reached Plaza Patria I was amazed at all the decorations in addition to the obligatory Coke tree. I intend to return at night when it’s all lit up.

The shrill of sirens and the honking of horns signaled the start of the parade of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Dancers, mariachi and a multitude of decorated transit buses with the Virgin prominently displayed on the windshields.

All of the above was on my walk yesterday. I wonder what awaits me on my walk today.

Feb22

Carnaval 2018

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Carnaval 2018

Carnaval was held in Mazatlan from February 8th-13th this year. A flurry of activities attracted more than a million people. Hotels and restaurants were packed and the malecon was crowded with revelers. I was fortunate to live only a block and a half away from the malecon so no problems of fighting traffic. As a bonus, I could see the Combate Naval from just down the street.

I chose to pass on the coronations and pageants. But I did attend both parades, one of which passed by close to my house and I was at ground level in the front row. The floats were amazing, especially being illuminated against the darkened sky at night.

In addition to the floats there were marching bands, gymnasts and dancing horses. Of course all the hawkers accompanied the parades selling a variety of products from donuts to glowing swords.

I was delighted to hear BandaMS perform and view the fireworks from the comfort of my front terrace. And speaking of fireworks, the Combate Naval was awesome. A few years ago I went out on a boat to view the fireworks and that also was quite the experience.

I strolled along the malecon nightly and checked out the entertainment. There were numerous stages set up with a number of bands trying to outdo each other. Until around 4 am. Mexicans like to party.

But I must admit that it’s nice to have the malecon back. It’s peaceful and once again I can hear the waves lapping against the shore. Until Semana Santa arrives next month…………….

Sep25

Autumn Leaf Festival Parade

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Autumn Leaf Festival Parade

Fall has arrived and the annual Autumn Leaf Festival took place on the weekend. This is the longest running festival in Leavenworth and celebrates the turning colors of the autumn leaves. It originated in 1964 when the town adopted the Bavarian theme. The parade is a highlight where floats as well as bands come from all over Washington state as well as British Columbia. Hundreds of people crowd the streets to view this spectacle and Highway 2 is closed down for several hours. Restaurants and shops are filled to overflowing, and parking spaces are at a premium. Indeed Icicle Road has become a parking lot all the way down to the golf course.

I hope you enjoy these photos. 

Oh how I love a parade!