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wendy devlin

Dec 20, 2002, 12:48 PM

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Last Christmas eve... in Ahuiran, Mich....

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I posted this over in the general forum in response to the Christmas memory thread. But since it took place in Michoacán, here it is again. (short version of events!)

This year, our family is celebrating Christmas in Canada after five Christmases in Mexico.

I feel like I'm in a 'foreign' land!

Actually we are looking forward to celebrating at home...but this discussion brings up a host of good memories. Like Christmas eve last year.

Colima in December was being a little warm for us, so Arbon and I decided to 'chill' out in the highlands of Michoacán.

And in my little book of fiestas in Mexico, I had noted that a village named Ahuiran held an annual Fiesta de Navidad. First we drove through the better known nearbye Paracho. It's small plaza was buzzing, vendors, food, traffic, noise...too busy for us...so we headed directly to Ahuiran, a few miles away. It's streets were quiet and our van was practically the only car parked by the plaza. But people assured us that indeed there would be a pastorela later that evening...plus a huge public dance with a banda.

Also the pueblo had a very Christmassy feeling to it... everywhere was powdered with frost.

There were hardly any street-lights... and as dusk fell the pueblo got darker and darker.

But just when, we could barely see any longer, shop and home owners hauled out bundles of wood onto the sidewalks...and soon the way to the church was blazing. The oomp-pah of a distant tuba announced that a procession was heading this way. Slowly the participants came, singing and holding candles or lanterns. Many were wearing large fancy hats like members of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

They filed to the front of the church and then divided into two sides. The participants chanted and walked through their pastorela. Then as a finale both groups formed a huge circle and walked around and around the plaza. The patron saint of honor was also paraded around in his high and magnificant altar. Earlier I had paid my respects in the church. I had gotten quite a kick out of the saint's appearance. He's dressed like a flashy cowboy.

After the procession, people scattered around the plaza. By this time a few vendors had tacos sizzling and hot drinks ready. After enjoying this, we kicked back to listen to the plaza rock until the wee hours. Saludos Wendy