Photo Update #1 – Independence Day

October 9th, 2009 . Posted in Brenda in Cozumel 1 Comment »

I have been taking many photos over the last several weeks, and I’m going to try to post a sampling of them today. Since there are so many, I’m going to post them in three phases.

This first post will contain photos from Independence Day Activities, Some Aztec Dancers in the Plaza, and a few photos taken in Playa Del Carmen

The next two posts will contain photos from Mexico City

Young boy at the children's program.

On the night before the main festivities, I attended a children’s program. This is one of the young boys in his cute costume.

Young children at the children's program.

These are some young children who were being given awards during the program.

These kids were really cute.

More children in the beautiful program.

Two more cute boys at the children's program.

These carts were all over town.

These carts sell a variety of flags, and other patriotic items.

Mexican Emblem (eagle holding a snake, sitting on a cactus) on top the Palacio Municipal

This is the same emblem that sits in the center of the Mexican flags. The eagle sitting on a cactus and holding a snake is rich with Aztec tradition.

The Palacio Municipal

This is the local government building all decorated for the holidays. The main festival took place right here on the following night.

The clock tower in the main plaza.

Decorations on the clock tower in the main plaza where I write. They are very pretty when turned on.

Decorations on main beachfront street.

This is on the main street that runs north and south through town along the shoreline.

Decorations on main beachfront street.

More decorations on the main road along the beach.

Entertainers at Sept 15 evening program.

There was a beautiful program on the evening of September 15th. Many dancers and singers, theatre, etc… A beautiful display of local culture.

Entertainers at Sept 15 evening program.

Entertainers at Sept 15 evening program. (Holding Pigs Head)

This dance was centered around the pigs head on the platter held high above her head.

Entertainers at Sept 15 evening program.

Second half of a father and young son rope act.

One of the finalists in the singing contest (my favorite)

This young man was my favorite contestant in the “Canto por mi Patria” Contest help on the previous two Sunday evenings. He was my favorite, but did not win first place.

Cozumel's mayor preparing for the "Grito de Independencia" (Shout for Independence)

The “Grito de Independencia” is a traditional reenactment of an event that took place on the eve of the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence in 1810. It is reenacted across the country. Actual independence was not achieved until 1821.

Right before the "Grito"

The mayor of Cozumel standing on his balcony, preparing to reenact the famous call “Viva Mexico” while ringing bells.

Beautiful fireworks

The program ended late at night with a beautiful array of fireworks being launched from a barge just offshore in the caribbean waters.

Students marching in the parade.

Some students proudly carrying their school banner.

Band marching in the parade.

Every one of these bands played the same melody — a trumpet/bugle like rendition of a famous Mexican military tune.

Band marching in the parade.

As far as I can tell, I believe these bands were high school students.

Band Marching in the parade.

Students marching in the parade.

Almost the entire parade consisted of students from schools all over the city, marching (often high-stepping) in their school uniforms.

Students marching in the parade.

Band marching in the parade.

Students marching in the parade.

Vendor selling his treats at the parade.

This is one of many bicycle vendors who worked the parade, selling their treats. Carts such as these are very common in public areas.

Closer up view of the treats.

This is a close up view of the treats being sold. I have no idea what they are, and have not as of yet chosen to risk my money to find out … LOL

Independence parade.

Students marching in the parade.

High stepping it and waving their arms …

Firemen (bomberos) marching in the parade.

These firemen were near the very end of the parade.

Firemen marching in the parade.

This one in front is carrying a large portable circular saw … this has got to be very heavy.

Firemen marching in the parade.

Another fireman carrying a chainsaw for the entire distance.

Cowboys in the parade.

"Small" machine gun

After the end of the parade passed by me, I rode my bicycle down to the Palacio nacional and watched the end a second time. The mayor and all of his cohorts were watching the parade from the balcony above, and this soldier with his large machine gun was watching the area very intently.

At the end of the parade.

As the parade ended, the large machine gun and soldiers joined in the final procession.

Mexica (Aztec) dancers in the plaza

About a week after Independence day, I ran across thesse dancers in the main Plaza on Cozumel. I had no camera on the first day–but they came back the next. I was slightly disappointed because their body makeup was different colors and they had altered their costumes slightly.

Mexica (Aztec) dancers in the plaza

These dancers have appeared in the plaza several times since. I talked to them briefly one time when we were stuck together in the gazebo during a slight rain storm. They are all local young men who live in Cozumel.

Mexica (Aztec) dancers in the plaza

Beach in Playa Del Carmen near ferry terminal

This is taken from a few hundred yards south of the ferry terminal

From Playa Del Carmen - you can see Cozumel in the distance.

Cozumel is twelve miles to the east, across the channel

Hurricane damage?

I’m only guessing, but this home was most likely damaged badly in Hurricane Wilma, about four years ago. Aparently, Wilma stalled over this area for several days, destroying much in its path.