We noticed, walking into centro today, an inordinate number of vehicles proceeding down the main street into the Centro Historico section of town, including a few trucks with Federales in them. Why were there Federales in town? This weekend is the celebration of Mexican Independence Day, that's why.
The town square - as viewed from our table inside Starbucks - was not yet chock-a-block with citizens and tourists, but they will come, they will come.
Our Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th, the day Father Hildlgo gave a speech in Dolores (later renamed Dolores Hildalgo) whose text has been lost to time, but it included El Grito, his charge to the populace to secede from the Spanish Colonial powers. At his side were Ignacio Allende and his brother Juan Allende (both from San Miguel - later renamed San Miguel de Allende in their honor).
The War of Independence took nearly 10 years to accomplish their goals, but the festivities will be confined to the weekend. There will be a crush of visitors to the city, aerial bombs going off, church bells ringing, fireworks, and El Grito will be re-enacted by our dear Mayor from a balcony of the Allende mansion on the corner of the square in front of the Parrochia at midnight (the mansion is a museum now).
I think we'll be at home trying to soothe the dogs - who do not appreciate all the noise!
LATER
It was a soggy Independence Day this year. Rain, rain, rain. Wasn't going to stay up that late to watch on the webcam, but suspect that festivities were wet at best.
Several states in Mexico cancelled their Independence Day festivities because of rain and flooding. We only got the dregs of Ingrid (and perhaps Manuel), but it was enough to keep us home, safe and dry!
The weather even topped off Independence Day with a windly rain storm around 6 pm tonight. Glad we had an early dinner at Hecho en Mexico and were home before it began to pelt down!
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