Today is the Celebration of the Lord of the Conquest. It seems like a strange thing to celebrate and celebrating it with Indian dancers in Indian costumes is also strange to me. That does not stop me from enjoying the festival. This morning as I was walking home from my session with my trainer, the dances had started. I didn't have my camera but that was alright because I wanted to come back at night when I thought I'd get some better images.
It is not easy to get good images at night around the Jardin. The lighting is so difficult. There is a mix of lighting and it is almost impossible to correct it....not to natural....but to something that looks interesting. Added to that the lighting is very low. Out of all the images that I shot there are only three or four where the color and blur work.
The Jardin was packed with people. Mexican families with children. They watched the dances, bought little pull toys for their toddlers and ice cream or corn swathed in mayonnaise for the rest of the family. The couples sat at the stools in front of the vendors selling hamburgers and hot dogs. The teenagers gathered in clumps in the Jardin more interested in each other than the dancers. And the American and Canadian tourists watched from the sidewalks taking it all in. What a great story they will have to tell when they get back home.
So miss the Jardin at night, especially when their were festivities. We have wonderful memories of several New Year Eves spent there. Yup, very hard to photograph then. Best, Alan.
ReplyDeleteAlan, good to hear from you. I love the Jardin at night but haven't been going as often as I did when Ned was with me. Last night was a little sad but at the same time made me realize that I need to get down there more often.
DeleteWe'll be there for three weeks over Semana Santa this year (a first!) and are eager to experience being out and about in the evenings. Last year we were always back at the house we rented by evening, and never went out then. We intend to flip that schedule this visit given all the festivities that will be happening in the evening. Only concern is - as we eat our main meal out each day - the hours most restaurants will be serving dinner. Hope not to have to wait until 7:00 or thereabouts.
ReplyDeleteBut really, whatever - I can't wait for more time there! It restores me in a way nothing else does.
Barbara
Barbara, you will love it. Will you be here for the procession from Atononilco which is two weeks before Easter? I hope so. Even though it is early in the morning, it is well worth going to see. Palm Sunday there are two processions in the morning. And during Holy Week there is something everyday but usually between 5 and 7 PM. Go Mexican, eat Comida, siesta and then back into town for the processions or whatever, then a light dinner or snack. Easter is so late this year it is going to be HOT. I'm dreading that part.
DeleteBillie do you mean the Procesión del Señor de la Columna, the procession from the Sanctuary church of Atotonilco to the church of San Juan de Dios in San Miguel? If so, I believe we will be there. It is on the morning of Palm Sunday is it not? We will be there the 3rd – 26th. I’m thrilled at the prospect of experiencing it. We can walk, from our house in the Guadalupe neighborhood, to the jardin (20 minutes or so) where we can join others and walk on to Avenida Indepencia. Would you think it is safe to walk (a couple in their mid-60’s) alone at 4:30 in the morning? We have never felt unsafe in San Miguel, then again we’ve never been out at that hour.
DeleteYour suggestion re comida and siesta and back out is just the ticket. I’m a bit apprehensive about the heat as well, but as I plan on moving there I want to experience it all. I will be in heaven – regardless of weather. Thank you for your reply!
Barbara
Barbara, The procession of the Senor de la Columna is the Sunday before Palm Sunday. I think that 4:30 AM will be too early. It is usually just about daylight. But that is something you can check out when you are here. I have walked over to Independencia while it is still dark but heading quickly into dawn for the procession and there were two or three neighbor groups headed that way as well. So I felt okay.
DeleteOh gosh we would have missed it by a week! Thanks for letting me know which Sunday. Will get the time figured out - oh I'm so eager to be there! Thank you again.
DeleteBarbara
Oh gosh we would have missed it by a week! Thanks for letting us know what Sunday it is. We'll get the timing figured out re heading over. Oh I'm so eager to be there!
DeleteBarbara
Oy. You are so correct about the lighting in the jardin in the evening. I was experimenting with the new Sony lat September when each of the tribes brought its offering to the church. Great gathering. Challenging photography. I finally just gave up and enjoyed the festivities.
ReplyDelete