Family Reunion in Ajijic Turns into a Dream that a Tourist "Would Die For"

chillibreeze writer — Sylvia Perkins

Need an editable PowerPoint map of Mexico

Their mothers are sisters living in opposite parts of the world with daughters, 8 and 9 years old, who wanted to have a reunion. The four of them had not been together in more than a year as California and India are a bit difficult to travel frequently.

Why not meet at the grandparents' vacation house in Mexico? The time for the visit would coincide with a special occasion, the Mexican celebration of Carnaval or Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) as known in Louisiana where their mothers grew up.

Plans were made to participate in the parade scheduled for mid-day in the small village. Supplies had been brought to decorate a truck normally used for transporting cattle and had protective metal bars surrounding the back of it.

The girls' uncle arrived with his large baggage of beaded necklaces from New Orleans that he had collected from years of attending its famous Mardi Gras parades.

Unbelievable it was to see the beat-up old pickup truck transformed into a beautiful "float" worthy of any parade. Five-foot long metallic fringes in colors of purple, gold and green surrounded the entire perimeter of it. To top it all, Mexican friends created beautiful paper flowers, as only they can do. All seven float riders dressed in costumes and glamorous face masks, including the young cousins all ready to show off.

Gathering at the designated starting place, they first were met by male individuals gaily dressed and padded in women's clothing probably from their mothers. Fun to watch their clowning and frivolous merry making on this last day before the solemn season of Lent. Other floats joined the excitement: incredible paper mache creations of dragons with many heads called "alebrijes" preceded our entry. There were queens riding their "royal chariots" and more decorated pickup trucks packed with fun-loving revelers.

Next came the horses with ranchers, "charros" who have trained their horses to dance and beautifully dressed young ladies riding side- saddle, all accompanied by the village brass band.

Oh, what a hit those "throws" were with the throbs of people reaching and hoping to catch the beads. Unheard were the familiar cries of New Orleans, "Throw me something, Mister!" but these Mexicans reached out for colorful gifts of necklaces.

By the time the parade was half over, the little girls were lying up on top of the truck cabin with one saying "Boy, if my brothers could see me now!"

Whatever the girls did in this new and exciting place during the following week was done happily and with a spirit of adventure. Horses were delivered daily to the grandparents' door for riding in the narrow cobbled streets of the village and alongside the lakeshore. Hiking up the mountain and dancing wherever they found music and performing for their proud grandparents filled the week
with happiness for all.

The two young cousins had bonded so very closely by the time their wonderful week in Mexico had ended that copious tears were shed as they said goodbye to each other and left for India and California.

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—About our writer: Sylvia Perkins lives part of the year in Ajijic, Mexico with her husband Hal and enjoys writing about the local culture and the wonderful people there.

 

 

 

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