jennifer rose
Mar 5, 2003, 7:30 PM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Anybody join in any Mardi Gras festivities in your towns?
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There were big shindigs a-goin’ in downtown Morelia and various ‘hoods, but I had work that I had to get out. Which meant staying at home in front of the computer. Last night and early this morning, the sounds of bands and singing punctuated the night air.
But I did sneak out to the main church in Santa Maria de los Altos, just two blocks away, mid-morning, thinking I would only observe Ash Wednesday. The old ladies at the back of the church tricked me into sitting right up front with a handful of people listening to one of the nuns describe Lent. I’ll have to admit that she did with a great amount of style and humor. And only took a few minutes doing so. I didn’t line up for the ashes, because it didn’t seem right for a non-Catholic to do so.
Down on the street outside of the church a woman was selling about ten different kinds of fish, from small mojarra filets to a giant huachinango. And salmon. But I’d already bought a piece of salmon the day before, and it was marinating in the refrigerator.
Later this afternoon, I decided that I should buy some cigarettes, which meant walking two blocks to the abarrote, stopping in at the afternoon classes sponsored by Casa de la Cultura. Today’s classes were guitar and embroidery. A neighbor waved me in, and I had to stop and comment upon the projects. “Why don’t you join us and embroider something?” they asked. Uh, I haven’t exactly embroidered anything since I was in kindergarten, and I haven’t really thought about embroidery for a real long time, but I was touched. If anyone had asked me a decade ago if I’d find myself thinking about embroidery in 2003, I would’ve died laughing. Maybe I should figure out how to embroider a tea towel. What, I’m writing this?
By 5:30, everyone was heading up the hill to the church – except for those who’d already been, of course. Cotton candy, roasted corn and pancake vendors lined the way up the few steps to the churchyard.
Where I live, the locals are a friendly, chatty bunch, and everyone says “Buenas Dias” or “Buenas Tardes,” as they pass one another on the sidewalks. And, of course, casually asks if you received the ashes. My neighbor reminded me about this Saturday’s peregrinacion to Caracuaro, halfway between Morelia and Huetamo. Who knows? I just might go.
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