MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE 2014

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

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one of the ubiquitous patriotic street corner pop-ups

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security is tight at el zocalo

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even Cauhtemoc is dressed up for the occasion

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I found army general Augustín de Iturbide

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

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the sun at the centre of it all

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It’s already too much for some

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Peña Nieto will give the cry from here

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Miguel Hidalgo and friends in front of cathedral

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Mexican tri-coloured mop

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never too old to join in the fervour

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orgullo por la bandera – pride in the flag

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organillero – grinding  for mexico

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trumpeting for Mexico

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the eagle has landed

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inflated pride

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revolutionary zeal

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

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Bank of Mexico and Palace of Fine Arts

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

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will undoubtedly be a big night for Miguel

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

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keeping the peace

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lone street dog representing his millions of compatriots

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Peter W Davies

6 thoughts on “MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE 2014

    1. Hey! Thanks for your comment. Pozole sounds good. This year it was tostadas and quesadillas de tinge de pollo for me. Definitely worth checking out the independence celebrations here in DF or elsewhere in Mexico. Saludos..

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