Re: [ranchos] Travel to Mexico

[Alicia Carrillo <alliecar@...>]

This is a good question and good idea. We will be going to Guadalajara first and proceeding to Nochistlan Zacatecas and then to Tlachichila Zacatecas in September for Las fiestas patronales. That is the feast of the patron saint of our hometown. We went last year for the first time ever and it was wonderful. This was a great opportunity to make contact with extended family who come back annually from near and far. Many came from Chicago, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Arizona, New Mexico and of course from throughout Mexico.

 

Most every town in Mexico has a feast for the patron saint of their town. You can try to log on to your town's website for that information. We on our trip last year were able get some oral family history from both the locals and those who were coming from out of town, state and country. It's a great opportunity to hear some history and lore regarding your town or city. We brought back 4 legal pages on of history of Tlachichila. They told of the founding fathers of this town, the wars, the major hacienda owners, their descendants. After one of these oral presentations I asked the director de las fiestas if I could have a copy of this speech. He happened to be the brother of my tia politica. By the next day I had two copies, all I had to do was ask. I also met a primo tercero on my maternal grandmother's side who resides in Los Angeles and is a radio commentator. He's also the director of the club Zacatecano de Los Angeles and the tres por uno club of Tlachichila. The 3 for 1 club is a club that raises money for it's town in Mexico. It's called 3 for 1 because for every dollar that the club raises in the states the Federal Government will match it and so will the state. They can spend the money to improve the town be it roads, streets, buildings, etc. The club has to be sanctioned by both the state and federal govt.

 

Needles to say, this is one of the most rewarding events you can attend in terms of history and contacts. Another added benefit is that you get to party with the entire town as we did for 10 days and nights and boy do they know how to celebrate. Every day there is a different procession in honor of a different group or groups. There is el hijo ausente de Mexico, that is the absent child from Mexico which means that they honor those who left the town to live in other parts of Mexico and who have come back to visit for this feast day. The following day it might be to honor  those who have come back from specific areas of the US and so on.

 

Some of you out there might have other great events of your town. I think I've rambled on for long enough but if you're going to Mexico, you might consider going on your town's Patron Feast days.

 

Alicia

docrjr@... wrote:

Where in Mexico are you interested in going and when?