San Cristobal – me gusto mucho
Friday, March 28th, 2008My suspicions are confirmed – I like this city better than Antigua. Of course that’s a personal opinion so save yourself the argument. Serendipitously the annual “Feria de la Primavera y de la Paz” (festival of spring and peace) is going on this week. This celebrates 480 years of culture in San Cristobal (+1 ea. yr. ☺). The stage in the zocolo is filled on and off throughout the day with music, dance and other random acts.
Over the weekend there will be a bullfight – a “lidiando a muerte” or “struggle to the death”. I’m intrigued having never been to one and was ready to find a ticket vendor when I encountered a protest by local students. They were earnest, had handouts and to the amusement of all saddled a stray dog with signs protesting the mistreatment of animals – so he could roam around town with the message. Personally I think their efforts would be better spent on the stray dogs, but certainly bullfights are more glamorous. It’s why terrorism, with few victims in the west, gets bigger play than all manner of every-day ills and crimes that kill many more people each and every day. So will I go? I think so.
The local markets are fantastic. I have to keep reminding myself that I never wear the embroidered tunics I get on every trip to MX. Actually, they often end up in my bi-annual salvation army bags so I’ve resisted thus far. But I’m a sucker for cloth bags/satchels and I’ve gone a little overboard. but I carry one every time I go out, sometimes 2 if I’m going on a picnic or overnight trip, so I know I will use them…….and the justification commences.
Peggy Rehm