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toddmc

Apr 29, 2007, 2:00 PM

Post #1 of 18 (4317 views)

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Day of the Holy Cross?

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Hello

Just came across this old Mexconnect story about day of the Holy Cross.
http://www.mexconnect.com/...ing/jkholycross.html

Now this was something that we were not aware of.
We are currently building in Patzcuaro.
I assume that our Contractor/Architect is dealing with this, but will check with him
Even if he is we will still want to bring some stuff ourselves and thank them.
As it is a somewhat religious holiday, is it inappropriate to bring beer? Should we stick with soft drinks?

Do any of you have any stories about this day on your building site?
Please, I would love to hear them!

Thanks

Todd
***************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by toddmc on Apr 29, 2007, 2:03 PM)

bournemouth

Apr 29, 2007, 2:50 PM

Post #2 of 18 (4303 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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We were remodeling this time last year. Our contractor had several crews and he put on a barbecue for them at one big job. We gave him some cash towards the event. Nothing about the day stops them enjoying beer and tequila, believe me!

jennifer rose

Apr 29, 2007, 4:14 PM

Post #3 of 18 (4291 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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The pious might take the cross, which you've bought the day before, to church the morning of the 3rd to have it blessed. But frankly, most aren't *that* pious.

The workers are expected to work at least until noon.

Don't go overboard on the food and beverage. Some roasted chickens and tortillas are just fine. Beer is appropriate, but if you decided to offer up tequila, be very codo about doing so. Having only soft drinks is also fine. The last thing you want is a bunch of tanked albaniles around a construction site, even if they're supposedly off work. And you want them to be able to show up on time and fit the next day. The offering is for them, not you. Your responsibility is fulfilled when you (or the contractor) have delivered the repast, and you're really not expected to join in. It's their party and not yours.

You're obviously very proud of your new house, but there's no need to play Santa Claus.

As for stories about Dia de la Cruz, I've bought the food and Cokes and told the workers to take them home to enjoy instead of consuming them on the premises.

Rolly

Apr 29, 2007, 4:53 PM

Post #4 of 18 (4279 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Todd, you asked "Do any of you have any stories about this day on your building site?"

Here are my two with lots of food and beer:

http://rollybrook.com/05-04-02.htm

http://rollybrook.com/05-03-03.htm

Rolly Pirate

Waterlily

Apr 29, 2007, 6:23 PM

Post #5 of 18 (4266 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Hi Todd, In Corazon de Durazno the builder has handled the crosses and the celebration in the past. There's food and drink (beer and tequila) that lasts until about dark. Next day worker's are a little slow. Homeowner's can contribute to the party, but generally don't participate. It's the worker's party. Pam

Georgia

Apr 30, 2007, 7:12 AM

Post #6 of 18 (4217 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Bring beer.

jerezano

Apr 30, 2007, 8:43 AM

Post #7 of 18 (4201 views)

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Re: [Georgia] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Hello,

Georgia said:>>Bring beer.

She should have said, deliver beer and leave. As so many have already pointed out the party is by the workers and for the workers. You may be invited just as a courtesy, but you will, as the patrón, be a damper. Why stay where you are really not wanted?

In my own case, the albañil erected the cross, told me they would work only a half day (not asking but telling), made no indication at all that I should or could contribute anything, and went back to work.

Since I was a non-resident supervisor/owner who just checked with the albañil to make sure that he did not need anything, I left and the day passed without further incident.

I felt no guilt at all. After 6 years in the house I still feel no guilt. Should I?

Adiós. jerezano.

Rolly

Apr 30, 2007, 9:57 AM

Post #8 of 18 (4186 views)

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Re: [Waterlily] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Whether the owners should participate depends upon the relationship between the owners and the workers. In my case Enrique and I were on the job site every day actively participating in the work. So when it came to party time, we joined right in.

Rolly Pirate

Georgia

Apr 30, 2007, 10:27 AM

Post #9 of 18 (4177 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Same for us as for Rolly. We got beer. Also, food. We had a great time. But we were here present and involved in the work the whole time as well.

donnameyer

May 1, 2007, 11:26 PM

Post #10 of 18 (4098 views)

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Re: [Georgia] Day of the Holy Cross?

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I'd echo Rolly and Georgia on this. If you are merely a customer with a construction crew building a house for you, then you should deliver the food and beer, wish everyone a good time and make a graceful departure so they can get on with it. But if you have built a relationship with them as they build your home, then you can certainly participate.

An artist friend of mine designed his own home in San Miguel and was on-site almost daily, practically "sculpting" the house. He certainly was a part of the crew and thus, a natural participant in the party. I think the albaniles would probably have been offended had he not taken part.

This extends to other businesses as well. If you are patron of a business but have a basically "hands-off" relationship with your employees, then you will be treated cordially but formally by them, with a certain distance maintained. When I had a leather-working business some years ago in San Miguel, I trained my workers myself and worked side by side with them. Consequently, I was invited to their homes for family parties, asked to stand up with one young worker at his high school graduation as the madrina, and was a witness at the wedding of two others. Eight years after closing that business, I am still invited to their family parties.

So it's all about the relationships you build.
Donna
http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-allende.com
Click on "Best SMA Restaurants" to post your own restaurant reviews and recommendations.

bfwpdx

May 3, 2007, 7:38 AM

Post #11 of 18 (4044 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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We are "absentee owners" building a house outside Jocotepec. My Mexican neighbour is my builder and other Mexican residents of my pueblo are the albanils. I heard last week that they are planning to hold a celebration of the Day of the Cross on the afternoon of May 3rd, and that the wife of my builder is making birria to serve them. Yum yum. I have no doubt that should I be there I would be included.

By the way, throughout the construction of my house, there has been a rustic cross constructed on the chimney. Does anyone know about this custom? Is there an appropriate time for removing it? I am in no hurry, but am just curious....

bunny

May 3, 2007, 8:01 AM

Post #12 of 18 (4029 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Day of the Holy Cross?

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These tales of construction workers' parties and the crosses on the chimneys seemed like a Latin American parallel to the "topping out" parties I knew from Maine, when house builders would have a party to celebrate the completion of a roof. The central event of the party (aside from drinking a lot of beer!) was to attach a little fir tree to the roof peak, and the tree would stay there until the rest of the house was finished.

I always figured topping out was just a New England custom. But after reading Todd's thread, I got curious . . . went online and found this article, reprinted from Modern Steel Construction, about the tradition of "topping out":

http://www.interfaith.freeuk.com/topping.pdf

Unfortunately, bfwpdx, it never mentions crosses on the chimney! But I'd figure that when the workers go, the cross goes, too . . .

Gretchen

song_of_joy

May 3, 2007, 8:29 AM

Post #13 of 18 (4020 views)

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Re: [bunny] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Here's a bit of background:
http://www.mexconnect.com/...ing/jkholycross.html

Judy King links the custom to Santa Elena, which would explain variations of the custom everywhere:
http://www.mexconnect.com/...king/jkstaelena.html

Anonimo

May 3, 2007, 9:29 AM

Post #14 of 18 (4004 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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We live about 3 miles from a village named Santa Cruz. There will be a big fiesta there today and tonight. We may go over later today to see what's going on.

Saludos,
Anonimo

jennifer rose

May 3, 2007, 9:35 AM

Post #15 of 18 (4001 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Day of the Holy Cross?

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In Patzcuaro, there is a church with a green cross, not too far from the Posada Don Vasco. Today they will be having a big celebration, and among the usual favors are green candles in the shape of a cross.

Anonimo

May 3, 2007, 11:18 AM

Post #16 of 18 (3981 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Is that the church or chapel that's on the grounds of the Posada Don Vasco?

Saludos,
Anonimo

jennifer rose

May 3, 2007, 12:50 PM

Post #17 of 18 (3962 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Day of the Holy Cross?

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No, it isn't. It's in a separate neighborhood. It's the place where the vendors and artesanos from around the lake and beyond would have their wares blessed before proceeding downtown.

toddmc

May 11, 2007, 4:22 PM

Post #18 of 18 (3883 views)

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Re: [toddmc] Day of the Holy Cross?

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Well the house progresses, and hopefully we will be moving in soon.

Thanks for sharing your stories, I enjoyed them all.

Below is the link to our blog, and the picture of our cross from Dia De Santa Cruz

Life in the Corazon

Todd

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com