San Luis Potosi Mid March Trip

It seems such a long time since we spent two nights in San Luis Potosi with our friends Steve and Cuquis. Steve had a friend pick us up here in Ajijic and drive us to Guadalajara, where he picked us up and drove us to his house. We had a huge delicious breakfast and hopped in his car with Cuquis for the long drive to San Luis Potosi. The roads (toll) were very good and the scenery was reminescent of California or eastern Oregon.

Our hotel was in the Historico District and very nice. It was just off the square so we were in on all the happenings there. The first afternoon we met a man from Chicago who told us not to miss the symphony orchestra and the playing of the carillion at 7 in front of the church in the square. Well, it turned out he had been in San Luis Potosi for 2 months practicing with the orchestra and he was the one who played the carillion. There were chairs for about 1000 and all were occupied. We were unfortunately in front of the amps but still enjoyed it - the church was lit in various colors as the bells played. We enjoyed watching all of the families - small children too.

We took a bus tour around the historical section however it was all in Spanish and the guide spoke very fast (for us that is). We concluded that it is a beautiful city with lots of parks - squares - and some very beautiful old buildings. There are many very good looking young men and women stylishly dressed.

On Sunday we were privileged to see several girls and families celebrating cince annos (15th birthday) in their beautiful gowns. There was also a wedding and we got to see photographers taking pictures of all of the girls. It was interesting because we don't have such a celebration for girls or boys. The young women and men are extremely comfortable "dressing up" and seem to enjoy themselves very much. They are dressed up from the time they are born so to put on a gown or suit is nothing new to them. We rarely get most young people out of jeans. It was fun to see and I know the families are expected to do this and it is costly.

On Monday we headed back but this time on non toll roads that went thru lots of small towns and roads that were two lanes. We saw a car coming around a bend with lights blinking - there was a horse on the side and a big cow in the road. Thank you for the heads up! We decided to go to Leon which is the "leather city". There were shoes and leather goods of all types. Many streets were blocked so that they were pedestrian only. The main square was HUGE and we would have like to see more but it was hot so we sat is the shade and had a very nice lunch. This part of the trip took us thru miles and miles as far as you could see of farm land. Probably as much as two hundred miles. Beautiful.

Last Parade Before Lent

There was a small parade on Saturday and music and dance, a little larger parade on Sunday, a bit larger party on Monday, and a real blow out Fat Tuesday Parade. The children get a real kick out of running "away" from the clowns (men dress up as women) who chase them and shower them with flour. A long time tradition which probably once meant something - maybe the flour chased away the bad demons. Those characters dance and act up at every intersection and throw flour on the crowd and also confetti. Of course, there are floats! Maybe not like the Rose Parade but some of them have beautiful girls dancing hula or wearing beautiful white gowns and waving. They throw candy. Other floats have men dressed up - one in particular made the crowd really laugh - it said "Por Gulpa del Alcohol Una Boda Resulta" and had a very large man in a white brides gown with another large man in a mariachi suit, some of the attendants were dressed as mariaches but they were women dressed as men. There was also a float with "women" in some scanty clothes posing alluringly. The side walks were crowded with families, grandparents and small babies. There was so much talk and laughter at all the flour throwing and who became covered with it. Most of it was thrown at pretty teenaged senoritas who laughted and screamed. We did get caught in a little flour but were not really the target. What fun!

We stopped by a little hole in the wall to get a drink and ended up having lunch - a wet("drowned") bagette pork sandwich and a coke. We had never had one and enjoyed it as well as talking to the owner, an older senora who spoke only Spanish.

We are enjoying our guests very much. They are adventureous and independent. We have tried lots of fruits and veggies - today we bought cactus leaves (nopales) which we will cook. Also bought a different kind of squash and some ceviche. A while ago we bought a fruit named, mame, which was good for one taste for everyone and then we threw it away. Maybe we needed someone to tell us how to prepare it. We like to experiement.

Don't want to get too carried away with this blog so I'll find a nice picture and be blogging you later.