Tag Archives: revolution day

Nov11

November 11

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November 11

It was called Remembrance Day in Canada when I was growing up. I always thought it unfair that we had to go to school for a service while my dad had to close his business and got to stay at home. I remember that all students in the school congregated in the gymnasium. We sang O Canada and O God Our Help In Ages Past. There was the standard Last Post and Reveille. I recall men in uniform and a speaker. We all wore poppies. We sang God Save The Queen. And after about an hour we were dismissed and allowed to go home.

In 2016 I was in Leavenworth, Washington on November 11th. Veteran’s Day in America meant honoring all those who had served in the armed forces. Restaurants offered specials for veterans. Tables were decorated with American flags. There was a more festive feel to this day than what I had experienced previously on November 11th in Canada.

In Mexico November 11th is not recognized as the big holiday in the month. That honor goes to Revolution Day on November 20th, although November 17th is the day people take off in order to have a long weekend. Banks and government buildings are closed as well as many businesses.

Revolution Day marks the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Madero led a group of followers up against the dictator Diaz, demanding equality and a more democratic country. Parades and historical reenactments are common on this day.

Today is November 11th. This afternoon Ricardo is bringing me enchiladas and taquitos. Then I will go to a cafe to facilitate my weekly Conversation Club with Mexicans who are eager to improve their grasp of the English language.

Enjoy your day.

Nov15

Hola de Aguascalientes

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Hola de Aguascalientes

Three flights and a bus trip. Every time I vow that it’s too exhausting I somehow do it again. And a big thank you to Alaska Airlines for bumping me up to First Class on number three. You’re my favorite airline.

Day four and I’m finally unpacked. I did it gradually this year instead of in a one day marathon. I didn’t have the energy or the inclination to do it any faster. I was also alternating trips to the corner tienda to stock my fridge and pick up other miscellaneous items.

The tienguis on Thursday was larger than the one when I left last spring. I think everyone is gearing up for Christmas here just like they’re doing up north. Of course the temperature was 84 degrees instead of the 44 when I left Wenatchee. The dreary rain has been replaced by brilliant sunshine.

Two new items in my room this year. Raul built me a desk. It’s much more comfortable than sitting in bed with my laptop. He also bought me a new microwave. I’m busy reading the manual in an attempt to improve my Spanish. That is huge. Those of you who know me are aware that I never read manuals.

I also started doing Duolingo again. After several months away, I need all the practice I can get, especially when it comes to grammar.

I watched a movie in Spanish this morning. My goal is to watch at least three a week. I don’t watch TV in English while I’m here and I don’t use subtitles when I watch movies in Spanish.

The two hour time difference was most welcome as it gave me a chance to get some badly needed sleep when I arrived. Of course it also means that I have to remember who is on which time zone now when I call my friends. Sorry about those 5 am texts some of you received the other day. It will get better.

I haven’t activated my Mexican number yet as I’ve decided to keep my American one. It’s a pain every spring when I return to Washington and have to get a new number. And I will get that Mexican chip going soon. It just isn’t a priority. There are people to see and places to go and that come first.

On Monday we have a holiday here – Revolution Day. And it’s also Buen Fin, the Mexican equivalent of Black Friday. The fun goes all weekend.

Speaking of weekends, have a good one!

Nov17

Revolution Day

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Revolution Day

I doubt that I’ll be alive thirty years from now but it sure would be interesting to read all the history books at that time. I always found American history far more interesting than Canadian history. And now that I spend so much time here in Mexico, I have become more familiar with this country’s history.

November 20th is an official government holiday and is known as Dia de la Revolucion or Revolution Day. It commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution back in 1910.

Diaz was an army general who served as president from 1876-1911. That’s a thirty-five year term. It’s not surprising that Mexicans felt that they needed a change. Madero, a wealthy landowner, ran against Diaz in the 1910 presidential election. However Diaz jailed Madero.

Madero escaped from jail and on October 6, 1910 he issued the Plan of San Luis Potosi, declaring the results of the 1910 election fraudulent and nullified them. He declared himself the provisional president and encouraged Mexicans to rise up against Diaz on November 20, 1910.

One of the results from the Mexican Revolution was that many Mexicans came up north to live in the United States as legal immigrants. Over one million Mexicans, some undocumented, made their way across the border. It wasn’t until four years later that a border patrol was created.

In 1917, a new constitution put limits on the number of terms politicians could serve. It also introduced new labor laws that included abolishing child labor.

Yes, Mexico has its own colorful history.

Nov20

Experiences Versus Things

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Experiences Versus Things

I’m really enjoying the course I’m taking from Yale University right now. It’s one of the best ones I’ve taken in a long time. This week the discussion has centered around experiences versus things and how they affect happiness. Some interesting strategies have been presented and I’ve already been implementing some of them. The weekly assignments are challenging and I actually look forward to the hours I spend both inside and outside of class while taking this course.

Buen Fin is this weekend in Mexico. It’s a time when I avoid the stores. There are way too many people cramming the aisles in search of bargains. This is Mexico’s version of Black Friday. I’m not interested in fighting crowds when I shop. I much prefer a more leisurely experience. Yes. I know. I can shop online. But I’m old school. I still prefer the hands on and in person experience. And that is why it took me two years to replace my laptop that bit the dust when Covid first hit.

Monday is also Revolution Day here in Mexico. It’s actually a government holiday and not a religious one. Although the date is really November 20th, it’s being celebrated on Monday the 21st to make it a long weekend. Mexicans are big on their history. In my teaching days my students would always have essays to write about this day. Diaz had been president for thirty-five years. In the presidential election of 1910, a wealthy landowner named Madero opposed Diaz. Diaz had Madero thrown in jail. However Madero escaped from jail and issued the Plan of San Luis Potosi, declaring himself as president and nullifying the election. Madero encouraged Mexicans to rise up against Diaz. This was the start of the Mexican Revolution.

Other news here in Aguascalientes this week. A helicopter crashed in Jesus Maria killing five people. Luckily the pilot was able to bring it down in a vacant lot. However the state security minister was one of the five who died. This tragedy is on the heels of a Pemex oil truck that failed to beat the train. After the train hit the truck, it wound up crashing into an overpass destroying a major traffic artery in the city, as well as setting several homes on fire.

Choose experiences over things. Share them with others. Watch your happiness soar.

Have a great Sunday!

.

Nov12

Revolution Day ,,,,,,,Dia de la Revolucion

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Revolution Day ,,,,,,,Dia de la Revolucion

This coming Monday is a holiday in Mexico. Revolution Day (Dia de la Revolucion) is celebrated on the third Monday in November although the exact date is November 20th. In 1910 a revolution began against the president, Porfirio Diaz. This opposition was led by Francisco I. Madero. This armed conflict lasted for almost a decade and ended in 1920. It also brought about significant political changes throughout the country.

porfirio

Pancho Villa was a general and one of the most prominent figures of the Mexican Revolution. He was from the northern state of Chihuahua, a large area rich in mineral wealth and close to the USA. He made an agreement with the Mexican government to retire from hostilities in 1920 after conducting raids on border towns. As the election in 1923 drew near, he did once again become involved in politics. Although at first not recognized as a hero, movies and books extol his virtue.

pancho-villa-3

Other prominent figures in the Mexican Revolution included Pascual Orozco and Emiliano Zapata. The rebel groups all demanded political reforms which were initially drafted into a constitution in 1917. Unfortunately a great deal of violence still continued well into the 1930’s.

Revolution Day is a national public holiday. Government offices, banks and schools are closed. Depending on where you live in Mexico the day may be marked by parades or bazaars. In my five years of teaching here in Mexico, I have found that it is mostly just a day off, and an excuse for a long weekend. Having said that, Mexicans are also very proud of their heritage and are very conscious of the ramifications brought about by the revolution. Mexicans have a rich and colorful history, and I am determined to build on my knowledge of these commemorations as I am always intrigued by the holidays celebrated here.

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