There is always a bit of somberness in my travels because I miss most 4th of July celebrations. This year, however, I feel like my cup overfloweth after all the celebrations I have encountered here in San Pedro de la Laguna. Many of the pueblos here en Lago Atitlan are named after Jesus' disciples or other Patron Saints. Every year depending on when the Patron Saint's feast day is the whole Pueblo celebrates with one of the most overcrowded markets, fiestas, & fairs I have ever experienced.
1. One of the beginning events was a parade that literally went right by our house. (Although my casa is a little bit of a trek, or "death march" from school & gringo-land I discovered much to my liking it was really in the center of all the action for all the festivities & real heart of the city.)
2. They also had
soccer matches & motocross exhibition that I got to enjoy with the family. (During this whole week long celebration I really did not do a good job of taking fotos...)
3. Lastly one of the other
highlights was being invited to almuerzamos con mi family. Momma Sandra served lunch with her mom & sisters to 38 other people either friends, family, or veccinos. It was really nice of them to include me & such a fun experience to eat with them!
Yep - there are live chickens on this float!
La Reina Del Pueblo. Every year the pueblo hosts a pageant for a queen of the sports & a separate one for the entire pueblo. And who says debutante balls are just a Southern American thing?
This is a traditional outfit for the men. (A lot of the older men only wear these cloths the younger boys do not own it as it is very expensive.)
It's a costume for all the girls in the house to get a new traje (outfit) every year for el dia del San Pedro.
It is with great hesitancy that I post this picture because the lighting is off. Nothing could capture this festival. Nothing. I am privileged to have encounter all sorts of festivals, all over the world. But this one was like one, big HUG. I have never been so overcrowded in my life and felt so secure both for my physical body and personal belongings.
The fair consisted of tons of old school games, lots of delicious street food, all of the shopping you could ask for, and tons of rides for the kids (They literally built 2 Ferris Wheels overnight. I also feel pretty confident that they would not meet safety codes in the U.S. either.) They had tons of pop up stages with music and couples dancing & of course firecrackers all day long.
