Ballet del Folklor

Friday, August 5, 2011

Today I had the pleasure of experiencing another part of the international “Ballet del Folklor” a now annual tradition of Zacatecas.  My aunt Vic invited aunt Mar and I to travel to Zacatecas and catch part of the last day of the week’s long festival.  Aunt Mar and I arrived to beautiful day and a city alive with music and dance.  The buses were full and the streets were bumper to bumper with cars, bikes and tourist all eager to see some of the world’s finest dancers.  We arrived at the historic “Palacio de Armas” or the Palace of the Arms where the “Presidente” or Governor of Zacatecas resides.  People see this place as the “palace of the people”.  Here people come to protest and take issues to the closest cabinet of government.  But today the place is alive with beautiful and colorful dance costumes and music from worldly places. The state takes various places around town and transforms them into stages where anyone can come view the dance troops.  It is important for this government to promote culture and mostly a sense of peace pride and safety.  With all the violence in recent time’s people need positive outlets to turn to.  Today for all of us it is dance.  On our stage is the Canadian troop once again who waves at us in recognition and joy to see familiar faces, the state of Sonora, Mexico and Japan follow.  Delicious smells surround us, people here make an honest living any way they can.  There is traditional candy being sold everywhere like the “greñudas” and “galletas the leche” fresh shredded coconut covered in honey or caramel and delicious cookies layered in home made sweet candy made with milk.  Popcorn and home made potato chip vendors line the streets along with the ice cream and food vendors.  Our fingers and bellies fill with the local street food and we sit back to watch the dancers perform.  Sonora along with their personal “banda” transforms traditions from their region into song and dance that amaze the crowd.  Canada and China become favorites with the crowd predominantly because it’s not something people see here everyday.  The music and costumes are exotic and the crowds roar with excitement.  Although short lived because soon after the rain runs us out of the town square.  Thousands of people run for cover and the streets fill with everyone including us not prepared to see rain today.  We run into a Starbucks and I am comforted again with the smells of home.  Frapuccinos, flavored coffees and teas fill the air and we take the edge of from the cold rain with warm cups of coffee. 

The rain subsides and we are back out on the streets of the city.  Darkness has fallen and the city is alive.  I am not sure if there were more people during the day or at night but I can tell you that the city feels more alive now than before.  The thousands of people have come back out to the streets for food, mingling and lots of shopping.  Lights and music fill the air, people dance in the streets and the sound of laughter and happiness is everywhere.  These are the moments I wish I could share with all those who I love.  Not the pain and suffering that surround me lately.