Festival de La Señora!

Sorry it's taken me awhile, but here are the photos from

El Día de La Señora de Nuestra Salud 

(Dec 8 2012) 

The day started off gloriously just like all our other days: we were snug in bed, warm and sleeping before dawn. But today was special, you see. This was the day of La Señora and nothing could make it more special than fireworks (grenades really) going off before sunrise only blocks from our house. Though, you should know that due to all the concrete buildings and the numerous tall concrete churches near us, these might as well have been set off in our little courtyard as they actually often sound louder when you are inside the house and not always (contrary to common sense) when you are standing right next to them. 

Time to get up. 

We next did something we have NEVER done before here in Mexico. We left the house before having our coffee, tea and breakfast. 

Nathan and I wandered down the street to the Basilica and came 

upon a gathering unlike anything we've seen so far. 

The Basilica de la Señora de Nuestra Salud

The entire courtyard was swarming with people and there was a HUGE line to get into the church. We finally shoved our way to the entryway of the church and this is the sight we found.

Standing room only.

This picture doesn't do the scene justice in showing just how packed that church was..you could barely see if you were lucky enough to 

                 get inside.

We stayed for Mass held in Purepecha. On this day, there is mass all day long and every single service is standing room only. Around noon, after a bowl of pozole, mass and a spectacular band performance (thank goodness no marching

bands this time), we stuck around for

 La Danza de los Moros. 

     

I was told that 500 years ago, instead of a dance of the Moors there was a ritualistic battle between the Moors and the Christians.

The costumes were incredible. Not only were they elaborate and beautiful, but so 

completely unexpected. Who attends Mass and expects to find a 

group of young men and women dressed 

as Moors?!

            

There was also a traditional dance of the indigenous women which we have seen at almost every gathering. Unfortunately, a glitch on my camera card lost all the video I had taken of both dances. 

  
After more sessions of Mass, amazing street food and (finally) some coffee and tea we returned to the Basilica around 8 o'clock at night.  One more session of Mass and they finally took La Señora out of her resting place.

 We joined the procession/parade following this Saint down to the Plaza Chica and around to the
Plaza Grande where quite a surprise awaited us.

FIREWORKS!!!

This fireworks display was quite unlike anything we had ever seen before. Not only was it massive, but we were standing extremely close to it, nothing like you'd ever experience at home. 

 Not only was it a certain fire hazard, frightening and a bit ridiculous in scale, but it all happened practically on top of the crowd - culminating in a totally crazy and unforgettable experience!