Political Cartoons

This is a day when I just have to inject politics into my blog.

Today I got out of the apartment and took an hour and a half walk.  Exercise is a great medicine for depression.  I hardly though about the orange pendejo at all.

A Sad Day

 I am in a state of depression and disbelief.

At least in 2016 I could say to Mexicans, "The majority of the people in the United States did not vote for that man."  But this time he has won not just Electoral College but the popular vote as well.

I am ashamed and disgusted that a majority of the voters in the U.S. voted for a lying, racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, treasonous, demented felon.  It is a very poor reflection on the people of my country.

I truly fear for my country and for the world. 

 

A So-So Parade

In 2015 the James Bond movie "Spectre" began with a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City.  In fact, such an event had never been held in the city.  However, when viewers of the movie asked when the parade was going to held, the city government decided to organize one the following year.  The event has grown in popularity, and now attracts more than a million spectators and is televised on Mexican stations.  

The parade has usually been on the Saturday before Day of the Dead.  Last year the government fooled everyone (and probably angered a lot of tourists who had already made reservations) scheduling the parade on the Saturday AFTER Day of the Dead.  This year the holiday fell on Saturday, so the Day of the Dead parade was actually held on the Day of the Dead.

The last two years, Alejandro and I have had good luck finding a spot to view the parade along the Paseo de la Reforma near the Independence Monument.  We arrived about an hour before the parade was supposed to kick off from the entrance to Chapultepec Park, about 7/10 of a mile down the boulevard.  

This year we followed the same plan, but we found that there already was a crowd several rows deep in the area where we stood before.  However, across the street, there were some empty spots.  So we crossed the boulevard, and had a "front row" position right by the barricade.

The reason why there was not yet a crowd on that side of the street was because it was in the sun.  That was not a problem for us.  The forecast called for rain that afternoon, so we had  umbrellas with us.  We used them as shade while we waited for the parade to start.  After a while the skies grew cloudy, but it never rained.  It was not long before our side of the street filled up with crowds also.

In the distance you can see Chapultepec Castle.  The parade was supposed to leave from Chapultepec Park at 2 PM.

The crowd on the shady side of the boulevard

Just steps away from us TV Azteca had set up their camera for televising the event.

The parade must have begun on time, because by about 2:30 the parade had reached our spot along Reforma.

I have to say that I was not impressed by the parade.  I was thinking, "Have I become jaded?" or "Am I becoming a grumpy old man?"  But after it was over, Alejandro confirmed my opinion.  It was simply not that good.  We saw the parade twice in its early years, pre-pandemic.  It was truly a spectacular event.  The last three years that we have attended, the parade has not reached that same level, and we thought that this year was particularly mediocre.  It was simply a mish-mash of groups walking down the boulevard.  It lacked the polish, thematic unity, energy, and cinematic spectacle that the early parades had.

There is so much going on in Mexico City during this period of time.  I think that in the future we will forego the big parade and do other things.

Anyway, here are some of the best photos and videos that I got of a so-so event. (But if you look carefully at some of the photos, you 'll notice participants with their cell phones out, or carrying water bottles, purses or backpacks.  It's a ragtag look for what is supposed to be a world-class event.)

One group from Xalapa in the state of Veracruz has performed at many parades.  The women in their monarch butterfly skirts and the large, uniformed marching band retain some of the glitz and polish that used to characterize this parade.

"Ofrendas" Throughout the City

Day of the Dead is over, but I still have a lot of photos to share with you from that festive season in Mexico City.

If you have been reading my posts on the Day of the Dead, you know that an "ofrenda" is an altar that is set up to honor departed loved ones, and it is believed that their souls will return to visit on that day.  Most household will set up an "ofrenda", but you will also find them in many public places throughout the city.  Here are a few photos of "ofrendas" that I found in the last couple of weeks...

Many stores and businesses set up "ofrendas".

Inside the entrance of a restaurant downtown

In the lobby of the Hotel Majestic on the Zócalo

I saw this "ofrenda" inside the gate of a Catholic school in Colonia del Valle.  I assume that the photos are of former teachers and administrators that have passed away.

The Museum of Popular Arts had an elaborate "ofrenda" and loads of "papel picado" banners in the courtyard. The unusual circular "ofrenda" was covered with paper marigolds and decorated with papier mache skeletons, including a dapper, devil "catrín" with horns and tail.

The Museo Kaluz, a private art museum, had a rather gruesome "ofrenda" in Aztec style with a wall of skulls.

There was an outdoor "ofrenda" in front of the Church of San Fernando.

In the church's graveyard, where many famous 19th century Mexicans are buried, there were a series of "ofrendas" created by students from a school.  The theme of all of them was the 2024 Paris Olympics.  I found that rather odd, since I doubt if any of the athletes who participated in the games a few months ago have died.

Finally, the "ofrenda" that I set up in my apartment, on the eve of Day of the Dead.

An Insider's Look

 As I said, there were barricades along the sidewalks, closing off the Paseo de la Reforma as the Procession of the Catrinas was getting organized.  At one point, the police had opened the barricade so that people could cross the street.  We took advantage of that, and rather than crossing the street we just ambled down Reforma, taking pictures as if we belonged there.  Nobody said anything to us, and the participants were all happy to pose for photos.  I kept telling Alejandro, "You know, we're really not supposed to be here."  But we continued walking as if we had every right to be there.

Is that you, Uncle Fester?

There was a whole group of women wearing dresses made of balloons.

I assume that they were going to accompany this float made of balloons.

I am sure that these two couples were not the only gay guys taking advantage of this occasion to dress up in outrageous costumes.

We found an exit from the barricaded area.

We left satisfied that we had taken more and better photos than if we had stuck around for the actual procession that evening.