04-25, Wed – 05-01, Tuesday

As we mentioned in the previous blog, the celebration of the Patron Saint of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle began on Wed. the 25th of April. True to their word, there have been fireworks and bands parading down the main street through town every day beginning on Wed. at 5:30 a.m. Tubas, Trumpets, Clarinets, Drums, the works. However, Wed. started out at 4:30 in the morning for us. We woke up when we heard Tristan (our cat) screaming, yowling and hissing and then running around out in the salon. There was fur everywhere and he was growing and yowling. We thought something had gotten in the boat at first but his collar was off on the floor. We think he scratched with his hind leg and got his claws stuck in his collar until it came loose. It is a safecat collar that comes apart if too much pressure is on it. He was certainly freaked out though!! He seemed like he had calmed down, and I tried to pet him and check his neck. Then he mangled my left wrist and hand. Sooooooooooooo When we got back into bed, the 1st fireworks started going off at about 5:30 in the morning, followed by a band parading down the main street of town to the church for 6:00 am mass. We couldn't sleep, so we walked over to watch the happenings. The 1st four pictures in the slide show are in the morning hours and at the church for mass. Later that morning, I was scheduled to go with a girlfriend in town to the Walmart to do some major provisioning. So I went to the doctor on the way and got antibiotics just in case my arm flared up. It is a good thing I did because my wrist was really swollen, infected and painful until yesterday and I had DEEP scratches and puncture wounds. OUCH I also had a reoccurrence of shingles on my leg show up that morning. More pain and flu-like symptoms but no fever. Fun week for me, eh? We did manage to go to the festival that Wed. evening because my arm and leg had not gotten too painful yet. We watched the opening parade at 7:00 that evening. More fireworks and bands and food and.. and.. and... The Mexicans love to celebrate and party! Every day this week, same thing until at least 2:00 a.m.! Quite fun, but not so much for me. I spent a few days mostly in bed. (The parade was very Mexican both in content and execution. We had gotten to the main drag early and luckily got a table and chairs set out by Ya-Ya’s Café – a parade with service – not bad. First came the religious procession complete with traditional Indian dancers, a living Christ tied to a Cross and a band. Then about a half hour later came the rest of the parade. It seemed like half the town had a reason to be in the parade – lots of kids of all ages, the candidates for Festival Queen on their “floats”, their sponsoring group’s, the fisherman, the charros and two other groups I never figured out. They were followed by any business that wanted to drive a car/float or whatever and then a large group of random townspeople including the town drunk. Hysterical!!! After the parade everyone was in the square and the serious partying started. It lasted to about 4:30AM though we only made it to midnight. The music was a kick, the local music can best be described as cross between a mariachi band and a German oompah band. Now put two or three bands all in the same small square going at it at the same time. Then put a techno-rock band and stage two blocks away. Audio pandemonium! The festival is still going on for three more nights. It’s a lot of fun even if we have not gotten to fully savor it. The town square is surrounded with brightly decorated food stands, games, rides and a stage. On all the streets leading off from the square families have set up tables, chairs and a stand and are serving whatever Mama’s specialty is. Everything imaginable in a Mexican theme and then some. Great crepes – loved the apple/banana/walnuts, cinnamon and butter – and you haven’t lived until you’ve had homemade churros straight out of the fryer – melt in your mouth delicious. - D ) Dick was bringing dinner home for me, but we have gone out to dinner the last couple nights as I am feeling better. Today, I am MUCH better! Tonight is the last open mic night at the Britannia Pub, so will probably go sing one more time. Well, having gotten the bottom cleaned, boat rinsed down, laundry done and provisions taken care of…. (plus routine maintenance on the engine, dinghy cleaned, rust stains removed from hull, etc. - D), we are now planning to leave on Wed. (tomorrow) or Thurs. Will update you all when we get to Mazatlan.