El Grito is coming...
I am starting this week with a little less stress than usual knowing this is a 2.5-day work week! This week we celebrate Mexican Independence Day. You may think 5 de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, and I don't really blame you for thinking that, but it's not true. May 5 is actually quite a minor holiday marking the Battle of Puebla, against the French. Some people get the day off but I never have. I am not sure why 5 de Mayo has become such a huge deal in the U.S., but it's not the real deal. I digress.
This is a common sight this time of year! Loaded-down street vendors hawking independence gear. I would argue it's unpatriotic to buy some of this stuff, which is probably made in China/pirated/etc. but there you go.
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. Well, it's sort of like September 15th through 16th. The night of the 15th (actually at midnight as it becomes the 16th) people have parties and/or get in place to hear "El Grito" (the cry of independence). El Grito is when the president, governors and other assorted leaders address the crowds, from each place's town square, repeating some version of the words of Miguel Hidalgo, a leader of Mexico's independence movement. According to Wikipedia, these are the (translated) words from the Grito from last year:
Mexicans!
Long Live the Heroes that gave us our Fatherland!
Long Live Hidalgo!
Long Live Morelos!
Long Live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!
Long Live Allende!
Long Live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long Live National Independence!
Long Live the Independence Bicentennial!
Long Love the Centennial of the Revolution!
Long Live Mexico!
Long Live Mexico!
Long Live Mexico!
This is a very special Independence Day for Mexico because Mexicans are celebrating 200 years since the beginning of the struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. Not only that, but it is the centennial of the Mexican Revolution. So, it's a pretty big year.
Francisco and I hope to take part in some Independence Day fun, but more than that, we will be celebrating our babymoon! This is our last romantic trip together, just the two of us, before the baby comes. We are going to the city of Oaxaca, in the state of Oaxaca. I have never been there, so I am very excited! I am especially excited about the wonderful markets and famed food of Oaxaca, including all the different kinds of mole and the hot chocolate. I do not plan to partake of another famous Oaxacan delicacy, chapulines (fried grasshoppers). Sorry, I try to be open to pretty much everything but I just don't think I can go there.
This is a common sight this time of year! Loaded-down street vendors hawking independence gear. I would argue it's unpatriotic to buy some of this stuff, which is probably made in China/pirated/etc. but there you go.
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. Well, it's sort of like September 15th through 16th. The night of the 15th (actually at midnight as it becomes the 16th) people have parties and/or get in place to hear "El Grito" (the cry of independence). El Grito is when the president, governors and other assorted leaders address the crowds, from each place's town square, repeating some version of the words of Miguel Hidalgo, a leader of Mexico's independence movement. According to Wikipedia, these are the (translated) words from the Grito from last year:
This is a very special Independence Day for Mexico because Mexicans are celebrating 200 years since the beginning of the struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. Not only that, but it is the centennial of the Mexican Revolution. So, it's a pretty big year.
Francisco and I hope to take part in some Independence Day fun, but more than that, we will be celebrating our babymoon! This is our last romantic trip together, just the two of us, before the baby comes. We are going to the city of Oaxaca, in the state of Oaxaca. I have never been there, so I am very excited! I am especially excited about the wonderful markets and famed food of Oaxaca, including all the different kinds of mole and the hot chocolate. I do not plan to partake of another famous Oaxacan delicacy, chapulines (fried grasshoppers). Sorry, I try to be open to pretty much everything but I just don't think I can go there.
Posted by Sloane and Puffy at 9/12/2010 9:15 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: food oaxaca babymoon independence day
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: food oaxaca babymoon independence day
Gee Sloane, even at my advanced age I still learn something new everyday. Thanks for the history lesson. Fascinating. Perhaps the reason Cinco DeMayo is so popular in the U.S is it gives us an excuse to go out and down a few Margaritas. That's just a theory. You and Francisco have a wonderful romantic trip. Have a glass of Horchata(I love that drink)and I'm with you on the fried grasshoppers.
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Sloane! I am glad you are going to Oaxaca and see how mexicans -that are not chilangos- celebrate the independence party! Oaxaca is one of my favorite places in Mexico, the musuem that is next to the Sto. Domingo church is a must see. I am sure you will like it and the food too!! mmhh!! tlayudas, hot chocolate, the sherbets, even the grasshoppers... they actually taste great and are really crunchy!! hehehe.. Enjoy and take lots of pictures!!!
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