The main square has a big church on one side, shops along 2 of the others side under arches, and this restaurant on the 4th side. We sat down outside under the arches. The waiter asked what we wanted to drink and had to shout above a band which was playing at the next door table. It's a tradition that started here 30 years ago. The men in the village form bands with guitars, drums, violins, trumpets, accordions, and go from table to table offering to play songs. When someone asks them to play they surround the table and belt out traditional music! It's fantastic! And the food just kept coming. Then we went for a walk and bought more food, and then maybe just a little bit more.....
Minerva was telling me this morning at breakfast about the swine flu outbreak. She said everyone was quarantined in their home. No-one went outside. When she did go out to buy some more food, she said the streets were deserted, anyone she saw crossed the road to avoid her, and they all had masks on. Everyone was scared they would catch it. She said the economy was hit from the affects of no-one going out - restaurants, bars, shops. All deserted. She said it reminded her of the Will Smith film, I am Legend - very eerie! People were communicating through emails and it didn't take long for their sense of humour to kick in - emails were flying around with photos from the film of the zombies!
2010 marks the 200 year anniversary of independence of Mexico from the Conquistadors from Spain, and the 100 year anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. 1910 marked the start of 10 years of violence during which 2 million people lost their lives, and the economy shattered. From what I can work out, the leaders of the fighting parties were all assassinated, and the reformists then ruled until 2000, who although had some radical social policies, managed to rebuild the country.
Last night we went to a dance show from the region of Oaxaca (pronounced WaHaka) to mark the anniversary of Independence. Throughout the year there will be lots of festivals and shows. The dancing is very traditional and is well known throughout Mexico to be the most beautiful dancing in Mexico. They have a festival every year in Oaxaca in June, where lots of groups dance and compete. Carlos told me it lasts for 2 days with many dances. He said it is stunning to watch. What we saw last night was just a taster, he said.
We arrived about an hour before it started and already the queue was all the way up the street, around the corner and part way along that street! So many people turned up to watch it. The theatre was packed. All the seats were filled and people were standing! It's very rare for them to come to Colima. The dancing was lovely and their costumes were beautiful... worth the wait.
After the show, all the dancers and musicians pile out into the streets and dance and play in the streets. It's such an amazing atmosphere. Unfortunately we had a sleeping 4 year old with us, so couldn't stay and soak it all up.
Before lunch (well mid-afternoon dinner really), we went to a wee village just outside Comala called Nogueras. It's a really beautiful, tranquil place where the designer, painter and illustrator Alexjandro Rangel Hidalgo lived and painted. He's very famous in Mexico and across the world. He illustrated Christmas cards for UNICEF, of Christmas across the world, always of a couple and how they celebrate Christmas. The detail of his work is incredible. He also depicted Angels of the world i.e. Angel of Kenya, Angel of Japan. If you're interested you can see some of his work here:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Rangel_Hidalgo
Talking of links, check this out for some awesome photos of eruptions!
www.photovolcanica.com/VolcanoInfo/Sakurajima/Sakurajima.html
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