El grito de Dolores  (The cry of Dolores) marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810.  It was priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla who gave the call.  Each year on this day, September 15, the cry is reenacted all over Mexico in small pueblos  and pulsating large cities.

Of course the capital hosts the largest event of all and at around 11pm tonight President Peña Nieto will offer the cry to a frenzied mass of hundreds of thousands from the balcony of the National Palace overlooking Constitution Square (el zocalo).

That is still a few hours away but the fever of the occasion is already in the air.  In fact it has been for quite a few days.  Street hawkers are selling all manner of verde, blanco y rojo (green, white and red) patriotic paraphernalia.  In the late afternoon I grabbed my camera and went for a roam.

patriotic hawkers

one of the ubiquitous patriotic street corner pop-ups

security is tight at el zocalo

even Cauhtemoc is dressed up for the occasion

I found army general Augustín de Iturbide

first half of what will be heard umpteen times tonight “VIVA”

the sun at the centre of it all

It’s already too much for some

Peña Nieto will give the cry from here

Miguel Hidalgo and friends in front of cathedral

Mexican tri-coloured mop

never too old to join in the fervour

orgullo por la bandera – pride in the flag

organillero – grinding  for mexico

trumpeting for Mexico

the eagle has landed

inflated pride

revolutionary zeal

I ducked on to a side alley to listen to this duo – la calle mata

Bank of Mexico and Palace of Fine Arts

I ran into Miguel Hidalgo and his youthful banda (crew)

will undoubtedly be a big night for Miguel

toothpaste in any color you like, as long as it’s green, white and red

keeping the peace

lone street dog representing his millions of compatriots