Of course, Saanens are the best - in my opinion anyway.
Showing posts with label Holiday - Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday - Mexico. Show all posts
Monday, September 29, 2008
Goat Conference
Our reason for going to Mexico really was for a Goat Conference. Ned has attended them in various parts of the world every four years since we have been in Pretoria and since he became involved with Saanen milk goats. It stands to reason that goats would also attend a goat conference - and here is the proof!
Of course, Saanens are the best - in my opinion anyway.
Of course, Saanens are the best - in my opinion anyway.
Flamboyant Entertainment
A group of colourful musicians serenaded us during the traditional dinner served in the evening of the first day of the conference. The tabourinist jumped and danced around, displaying a high level of energy - I became breathless just watching him! I was surprised at how high the guitars were held against the shoulder.
Note the goat banner in the background - leaves one in no doubt that it is an International Goat Conference that we were attending.
Danza Conchero Chichimeca
This statue depicts the dance of a Chichimecan warrior. Note the rattles around his ankles, which traditionally may be rattlesnake rattles and seed pods. They also accompany their dance with an instrument made from the carapace of an armadillo (hence the word conchero)
Chichimeca was the name applied to a group of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer peoples, of varying ethnic and linguistic character, who lived in the northern part of Mexico, and became the dominant people in central Mexico. They resisted the military colonization of northern Mexico by the Spaniards during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Chichimeca was the name applied to a group of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer peoples, of varying ethnic and linguistic character, who lived in the northern part of Mexico, and became the dominant people in central Mexico. They resisted the military colonization of northern Mexico by the Spaniards during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Templo de Santa Clara
This church is one of the loveliest in Mexico with ornate gilded carvings.
A feature of the churches in Mexico that belong to the Roman Catholic denomination, is the number of side altars and alcoves dedicated to various saints, heroes, Franciscan monks & nuns, and rulers of note in the history of the nation. Here is an example of one. Not all churches have such ornate dedicated areas.
The grounds that originally were a part of the convent cloisters have been opened up to public use. This section is a memorial to one of the heroes of the revolution that ended in independence being gained for the nation in 1810.
In one corner of the plaza, a church service of a different kind was in progress - where the people are informally gathered and are listening to a preacher in the open air.
The fountain in the centre of the plaza is, for me, a reminder of the living water that is available to all, whether they attend the more formal traditional Catholic worship services in an extravagantly artistic surrounding, or whether they are exposed to the gospel in an informal setting under trees that are carefully manicured and maintained in a non-ecclesiastical environment.
It was explained to me that the Protestant Church is growing in Mexico for the following reason: Those who prefer to practise their faith for one hour on a Sunday - and that's enough for the week - remain Catholics; those who want to get divorced, become Protestants, because the Catholic church does not sanction divorce. That wasn't my limited experience of Catholics! In all the churches I visited there were worhippers present and praying at all times of the day. The wonderful thing is that the churches are never closed (locked) - something that we in South Africa ceased to have many years ago, because of the increase in crime and theft. What an indictment against us that is!
A feature of the churches in Mexico that belong to the Roman Catholic denomination, is the number of side altars and alcoves dedicated to various saints, heroes, Franciscan monks & nuns, and rulers of note in the history of the nation. Here is an example of one. Not all churches have such ornate dedicated areas.
The grounds that originally were a part of the convent cloisters have been opened up to public use. This section is a memorial to one of the heroes of the revolution that ended in independence being gained for the nation in 1810.
In one corner of the plaza, a church service of a different kind was in progress - where the people are informally gathered and are listening to a preacher in the open air.
The fountain in the centre of the plaza is, for me, a reminder of the living water that is available to all, whether they attend the more formal traditional Catholic worship services in an extravagantly artistic surrounding, or whether they are exposed to the gospel in an informal setting under trees that are carefully manicured and maintained in a non-ecclesiastical environment.
It was explained to me that the Protestant Church is growing in Mexico for the following reason: Those who prefer to practise their faith for one hour on a Sunday - and that's enough for the week - remain Catholics; those who want to get divorced, become Protestants, because the Catholic church does not sanction divorce. That wasn't my limited experience of Catholics! In all the churches I visited there were worhippers present and praying at all times of the day. The wonderful thing is that the churches are never closed (locked) - something that we in South Africa ceased to have many years ago, because of the increase in crime and theft. What an indictment against us that is!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Nostalgia?
The best way, we were told, of getting into town was by taxi from the hotel - who would drop us in the historical centre from where it was easy to get taxis back again. So our first visit had us being dropped at Jardin Zenea - one of many plazas which are generally characterised by having a statue to some hero, a fountain, a variety of stalls, benches and trees. These 'shoe shine' stands caught my attention immediately.
I haven't seen the likes since I was a child and went shopping in Johannesburg City Centre. That brought back fond memories! However, I doubt that the local inhabitants suffer pangs of nostalgia from that informal business operation . Their's would more likely be from the various statues continuously reminding them of their history and their independence.
I haven't seen the likes since I was a child and went shopping in Johannesburg City Centre. That brought back fond memories! However, I doubt that the local inhabitants suffer pangs of nostalgia from that informal business operation . Their's would more likely be from the various statues continuously reminding them of their history and their independence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
