Preface. This is the first time in my life that I have ever written a preface even on an essay, way back when. So let us start with right this very second.
Photo taken 2 minutes ago in real time.
I spent over two hours today writing a blog post that I wanted to publish today. It was well written ( in my opinion ) and I simply needed to add photos. Then suddenly the entire post had disappeared as in totally vanished 👿 User error. I spent over 30 minutes trying everything I could to find it or parts of it. I came to realize that as I was creating today I neglected to hit “save draft”. I thought that I had opened a new tab to research something, but somehow I ended up using the same tab that I had created my blog on and hence lost the entire post when I went back to get it. I was very upset with myself. I started this blog over sixteen years ago in 2010 and one of the biggest lessons I had to learn was to keep hitting that save draft button. I guess it has been awhile since I did a lengthier post that required some research and heavy concentration. Or maybe I was simply inspired and kept writing. No matter. Lost my storyline with all the extras. I simply could not start again so wasted 2 hours online doing nothing of value. I restarted this post 29 minutes ago and have hit save draft already four times🧐.
So let’s see how much I recall.
¡Viva México!
Last evening ( Tuesday, September 15 ) was the beginning of the 2 day holiday celebrating Mexico’s independence from Spain.
“September 16th is the day that the Mexican Independence is celebrated. On this day in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato 1810, el padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bells of a small parish and inspired the people who gathered to rebel against the Spanish monarchy and take control of their own lives, their own country, their own destiny. His grito.
Many local places here in Mazatlan started the two day holiday with a celebration in the evening serving local dishes, national drinks and much Mariachi music. Here as in many plazas all over Mexico hundreds and likely thousands gathered just before midnight at the main square in town to listen to an impassioned speech by a city official commemorating the fallen heroes and then ringing a symbolic bell and finishing their speech by exclaiming three times, “!Viva Mexico!”. Of course then the crowds roar back “!Viva Mexico!” three times. This is called EL Grito, the cry or scream for independence.
Then the magic of fireworks happens in a victory celebration. We are so fortunate that our new home looks directly over the bay where one of the several Mazatlan fireworks barge celebrations were being set off from. Of course I was already in bed and the noise woke me up. Colin took these photos. How magical to be right here at this location.
It was almost too much to take in….we had no idea what was going to happen.
But we did manage to catch a few shots.
The percussive booming of drums woke me up at about 6:20AM. Of course Colin was already awake.
The deep boom and rat a tat carried a long distance. Military drums are commonly called a field drum and there were many many of them outside on the street early this morning 😮 Today, September 16th, the official Independence Day for Mexico usually involves a military/civilian parade. Ours was scheduled to start at 8:00AM which it did but I guess many of these fellows just wanted to flex their wrists and elbows. In addition to the numerous drums and marching feet, the parade featured sirens. Every police, motorcyle, ambulance or rescue vehicle. etc, has a siren and they all sound different. Can you imagine how they sound when mixed together? So from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM we heard a variety of sirens and often all at the same time. The locals sitting outside on the malecon curb clapped in approval. I think the ambulance is the most obnoxious. It took a further 40 minutes for my hearing to clear. We are at 14 “save draft” hits!!!
I started this blog at 6:00PM September 16 and now at 8:25PM I have come this far. Photos have been chosen. Not perfect but good enough. We are now at 22 “save draft hits” 8-). Colin wants his dinner and I must complete this post first.
The first activity of the parade were the naval vessels. My photo and it is not great. I just may have to get my better camera out of hiding ( I have no idea where I stored it ) ??
Colin pulled out his main camera. As you can easily see. Well and his skill as well.
Oh wow! Suddenly a huge military helicopter went past us. How cool is that. I actually have had this helicopter fly past our balcony a few time ins the past week. Blink and it is gone. But always there were soldiers with guns sitting at the open door.
People getting in order so that the parade can start. At this point we had no idea what to expect – except for the drumming.
At this point I was beginning to understand how great a parade this would be.
Wow!!!
The many firetrucks!! Loud sirens but oh so welcome! ny of these have been donated and delivered to Mazatlan from Canada from many groups such as the Kiwanis, Rotary clubs etc.. To be very honest I do not know the donations story. I know that older vehicles are being repaired and driven here by Canadians. Many years ago I used to see various Canadian cities names painted on the vehicles. Most now have been painted over. How wonderful that us Canadians care so much for this wonderful city of Mazatlan. I certainly feel very safe because of this.
Poor photo but this is just one the many many divisions of military that are working to protect Mazatlan against the cartels.
Mazatlan recently purchased several new military patrol vehicles.
Marine rescues plus so many lifeguards and their rescue equipment.
The men on bicycles and on motorcycles. Love the quiet bikes.
It was almost mind boggling as to how many various divisions of security that there are.
This helicopter came back once aging to perfume a bit of a trick. It begins by pointing the nose down. Notehow that soldiers legs have been displaced from the force of movement. Colin’s photo.
..,and my photo. I could not believe how this machine created such movement of the ocean. Not to mention the sound. Very effective!
There was also a spitfire airplane flying in and out but with all the noise from the parade we had no idea where it was until it was ”just there” in front of us. Another just WOW moment.
I hope that you enjoyed this post. It is now 9:40PM September 16th. And we have now had 40 save the draft clicks!! So it took 3 hours and 40 minutes to create this post – FOR THE SECOND time. Colin is vocally asking for his dinner. So I will forgo yet another blog proof. If it is really bad send me an email and I will correct it.
¡Feliz Día de la Independencia, amigos!
