AJIJIC wins the crown as KING of

the
“National Festivities”

SEPTEMBER 2019
Chapala, Jal. México
September 16th, 2019

T here are 15 minutes left until my clock hits

2:00 p.m. from this afternoon, Monday
September 16th, 2019, and the population
from the Rivera Chapalense fights the hangover with
coconut water and medicinal serums remedies; Or
for some, the party simply is still going on,
extending it to this pleasant afternoon of National
Celebration Day.

This year, 209 years were officially commemorated

since the Priest, Mr. Miguel Hidalgo and other
insurgents, summoned the people, but not to offer a
Holy Mass of the Gospel, but to rise with weapons;
to demand the land, the identity, and restoration of
the soils and subsoils to the Mexicas. So Mexico
decks up, and drenches with big Patriotic Honor ever
since; and the representative towns from the most
extensive and emblematic lake of the country, were
not left behind.

Red bows, tricolor ornamentation, fireworks and

peanuts; rattles, trumpets, and the occasional
puppets; tamales, cakes, corn, atole, Tequila and
Mezcal; Big hats, long colorful dresses and rosaries
for the calm; Chapala, Ajijic, and Jocotepec, were
promising a night of memories.

Residing on the center of the state of Jalisco the

Chapala Ribera Lake gives the opportunity to go
from puddle to puddle, among all these towns, to
mix and soak up with their people, smells, colors,
and traditions.
The municipality of Chapala, began the ritual for
Independence Day, usually named “El Grito”,
around 11:00 PM, headed by its municipal president,
Lic., Mr. Moisés Anaya Aguilar, whom previous
minutes to the event, commemorated the arrival of
the “FUEGO PATRIO”.
This traditional tribute named “FUEGO PATRIO”
(National Fire), consists of the trajectory of a fire
torch carried out 329 kilometers each year, by
students of the Center for Technological Studies in
Continental Waters, CETAC 01, whom transport
said fire torch from the “Alhóndiga de Granaditas”
(public grain exchange building) in Guanajuato to
get to Jocotepec Jalisco as final destination; Thus
symbolizing the act perpetrated by Juan José de los
Reyes Martínez, "El Pípila", in that September the
28th, of 1810, when burning the door of the building
in the city of Guanajuato; A brave act of war that
allowed Priest Mr. Hidalgo followers to overcome
the resistance and thus to take possession, right at
the beginning of the Independent movement in the
region of Mexico.
Two hundred and nine years later, we are located in
Chapala, Jalisco, where after voicing our lungs out
load, shouting three times VIVA MEXICO, VIVA
MEXICO, VIVA MEXICO, we drove to Ajijic.
Where dozens of cars were already parked around
and a significant number of families, young people
and passers-by, were celebrating with heart-in-hand,
their beloved, and so awaited Independence Day
Festivities.

We arrived at the Municipal Plaza, right in the heart

of Ajijic, located on the main street “Colón”, to find
out tremendous celebration!
Abundance and joy were breathed in the air by the
Axixienses; whom after a dedicated organization by
the City Council, it was possible to assemble an
outstanding stage that was discovered installed at the
main entrance of the cultural center of arts, (CCA),
where a big band of regional music and Mariachi,
intoned with the people the best and most classic
themes of the region; There were mystic fires and
fumes, flickering lights and a thousand colors,
couples in love, children, grandparents, foreigners,
lovers and other somewhat dancers; The vibe,
emotion and empathy that this place showed was
incomparable!
I wandered among the gardens with a drink in hand,
kindly offered to me by a big boots gentleman,
because here in Mexico it would be a sin not to toast
along with tequila every September 15th, and the
Mexican liquid gold beverage must be well present
and in fair abundance!

The families and friends were piled up in small

groups; the artists, the scroungers, the painters,
dancers, party people and other walkers, with their
liqueurs, hats, snake boots and mustaches too; With
joy from ear to ear, for the pride of being Mexican!
To celebrate it, to live it, to carry it with honor and
foreheads up high!

That being said, really prettiest party hadn’t ever

existed, and that I thank and stand up for this
Delegation, whom gave the soul to celebrate the
National Festivities! A real party that was for sure!
Congratulations, México! Congratulations Ajijic!
You took the crown with such beautiful vibe,
celebration and Mexican pride; thank you Ajijic for
memories and for your example of Patriotic heart!

Long live Mexico! Long live the national holidays

and long live the most beautiful, magic Rivera of
Jalisco, today and forever more!

AJIJIC, JAL. SEPTEMBER 2019