PILGRAMAGE
Those of you who read the last newsletter recall that Mrs.T participated in one of the Christmas posadas. As you will read below she could not pass up an opportunity to participate in another traditional event, deciding to join in one of the peregrinations of our annual fiesta (about which we have written before); probably a one-time adventure. I may get her into the RCIA program yet.
Last year Bucerias also initiated an annual Chalk Walk/Street Fair held in another part of town for three days of the fiesta. This year the event had more artists and food vendors and appeared to be a great success in raising funds for several of our local charities. You will see some pictures from the event at our Flickr site.
Rebecca also managed a trip to the zoo with Ms. D.K. and Ms. S.S. from Casa Gardenia. And she and the other ladies of Condos Jacarandas made an en masse shopping adventure to Vallarta; the city may never be the same. Pictures of the events are also at the site.
We welcome several new readers from way up north to our distribution list. We hope you enjoy these musings. And for all of you, please let us know if you have another email or wish to be dropped from our list. And of course feel free to comment to us or share this with others. On to Mrs.T's story:
Every year for nine days in Bucerias in January is the fiesta to celebrate our patron saint, Our Lady of Peace. Every morning and every evening there are peregrinations. These are little pilgrimages or parades that start each day at a different colonia and wander through the town and end up at the church for mass. I had always wanted to be in a peregrination. This, I decided, was the year. This was not from an excess of religious fervor, I was more like one of Chaucer's pilgrims - along for the ride.
There were two choices for our colonia - Colonia Dorado (and barrio
After much thought, I decided to go with the early option. Dan was quite willing to drag me out of bed at 4:30 and follow along taking my picture. It was already a religious experience judging by my comment when he awoke me. Have I mentioned that Dan is a morning person? It is disgusting, I know, but he freely admits it. (Proudly –dt)
When I arrived right on time there was no one there but two night watch men drinking beer. After some questioning, which was a little confused considering my limited Spanish and somnambulant state, we concluded that they thought the peregrination was to start there soon. The next person to arrive was a thin dark guy in a cowboy hat who was the official fireworks guy; we'll call him Boomer. Boomer walks ahead of every peregrination setting off Roman candles every few minutes. These are the fireworks that make a large BOOM but very little light.
The mariachi band appeared next, a few at a time. These were young men, average age twenty-something, with matching shirts. They stood around making warming up blats on their various instruments and smoking. About this time Boomer let off a preparatory boom to get our attention. This seemed to work because shortly thereafter a few more peregrinators appeared along with the rest of the band.
The leader seemed to be a thin lady in a white poncho. She went over and spoke to Boomer and the band. Boomer let off another blast and headed out.
"Vamanos!" called the leader and we were off at quite a good clip. This was a good thing because the band started blaring out music and charged along behind.
These mariachis were perfect for a marching band: loud, fast, and rhythmic. As far as tunefulness and sensitive expression, perhaps a little was lacking. But you had to be impressed with their enthusiasm. As the peregrination continued I began to see the point of Boomer. At each corner he let one off, and people would poke their heads out to wave, clap, make the sign of the cross, or what ever seemed appropriate to them. And at each corner a couple more people joined us so that by the time we arrived at the church the original 8 or 10 had swelled to 40 or 50.
Father Chema was waiting to bless us as we processed into the church. Our church is a small white adobe building. The windows are open arches only partially covered by stained glass crosses. The doves who nest in the rafters stuck their heads out to see what all the excitement was about and retreated to their nests (some above the altar –dt) with their heads under their wings.
Just in time too, because the mariachis had gotten themselves organized to the right side of the altar and began blasting out some many-versed religious song.
A few brave souls were singing along but most of us were too shaken to participate. Fortunately before too long the song came to an end and it was time for mass. The little church that had been about 1/3 full when we entered was now full.
The fortunate thing about Catholic masses is that if you are familiar with them it is pretty easy to follow along even in another language. The unfortunate thing was that taking advantage of the relative quiet, I began to fall asleep. Dan, who was now sitting beside me would poke me periodically (whether to draw my attention to the mass or simply to annoy me; I am not sure) and one time he poked me too hard and I started to topple over onto the lady sitting next to me. She politely righted me and I assured her I was okay. (Humph. R fell of her own accord due to her state of sleepiness; I only poked her when she started to snore. –dt)
There is a part of mass where people can supply their own petitions. Several of the petitions were for Father Chema. I didn't quite understand them so I asked the lady next to me if he was sick. We really like Father Chema and he has had health problems in the past. He was okay she said, people were simply praying for him because they loved him. I love him too; I told her that was why I asked. Waking and mostly sleeping I muddled through the mass. (Father C's homily was even longer than usual; I thought we were in a catechism class –dt)
We came to the part where you give the hand of peace to the person next to you. When I turned I saw several ladies holding and hugging my neighbor and weeping. As the mass continued I heard her sobbing quietly. I reached over and held her with my arm and she leaned against my shoulder. The mass was over and we were told to go in peace. I hope that Our Lady of Peace can lend some measure of peace that passeth understanding to my neighbor. We went home and I slept (Some more –dt). Sometimes you find things you never knew you were looking for.
HAPPY LUNAR/ASIAN NEW YEAR!
Dan and Rebecca
www.casa-de-terrible.blogspot.com
Find pictures and a short video:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9151458@N07/sets/72157625808441473/
