Author: Lisa

I have a folder with photos of the friends with whom I experienced this fantastic adventure.  However, I’m leaving it up to them to post their own personal photos.  (A tad of internet privacy, eh?!)

Here, though, are photos of me – some with others and some not! 🙂

This is my favorite pic of me!  It shows me having fun taking photos, experiencing new adventures, and spending time with friends. (Photo credit: Frank)

 

Morelia

 

 

Dancing in Santa María Huiramangaro

 

Mezcal tasting and lunch

 

Happy hour – and focused conversation! – at Rick Hall’s house – amazing collection of folk art!

 

Wearing copper crowns to greet our “subjects”

 

Farewell happy hour

 
With Hector, Ophelia, and their team at our Pátzcuaro B&B – delicious food, kind service, friendly atmosphere!

 

I think Joel’s sombrero looks better on him!

 

The energy and crowds at Santa María Huiramangaro seemed a bit overwhelming at one point, so I took my camera and wandered the streets and alleys.  After the sweet pastorela of San Pedro Pareo, we learned how to make mezcal – and tasted it, of course!

Santa María Huiramangaro

 

 

San Pedro Pareo

 

 

 

Views from our mezcal tasting

 

We visited Santa Fe de la Laguna twice, once during the day at the beginning of our trip and again at night at the end of our journey.  Following visiting a master mask-maker’s studio and eating a delicious lunch prepared by his wife, we headed to Sevina for its pastorela.

Santa Fe de la Laguna

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Door to mask maker’s home

 

Sevina

 

Our gateway to Pátzcuaro and the pastorela dances, Morelia provides delights of its own.

Abundant flowers

 

The Golden Church

 

Ready for a ride

 

City of Love

 

Aqueduct

 

Fabulous BLUE dress!

 

Flags a-flyin’

 

Flowers, stones, and a fountain – ah! 🙂

 

I wasn’t the only one snapping pics

 

Churches galore

 

We took a walking tour, which allowed us to enter this private space to see the murals painted on the walls; the murals tell the story of Morelia

 

Yes, I love doorways, arches, and windows.

 

Dress shop

 

Beautiful!

Oh, the artists and artisans!  So talented, so creative, so beautiful!

Masks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

Master ceramicist!

 

Car kiln in the ceramicist’s studio

 

 

 

Copper

 

 

Weaving

 

Canoe building and fresco painting

 

Mezcal production

 

 

Mariachi

This talented singer serenaded us at our farewell happy hour.

 

Nineteen artisans died from COVID-19.  In a Pátzcuaro museum, a tribute honored each artisan sharing their story and an example of their work.

Purépecha are the indigenous people of Michoacán, primarily in the area of Pátzcuaro.  They retain their own language, culture, and traditions, including the pastorela dances.  Warm, welcoming, and fun, they embraced us fully as we experienced their dances with them.  Other than one person at one dance on one day, we were the only tourists to join them.  I think they enjoyed our visit and energy as much as we enjoyed being with them.

Getting ready for the day’s pastorela in Santa Fe de la Laguna

 

Each village has its own carguero in charge of organizing the pastorela festivities.  This sweet girl, hanging out at the carguero’s home in Santa Fe de la Laguna, was a bit shy while allowing me to take her photo.

 

In Santa Fe de la Laguna, two women strolled down the street in front of a colorfully beautiful mural.

 
Three men relaxing for a bit in Santa Fe de la Laguna.  I enjoy capturing photos through and of windows and doorways.

 

Intent gorgeous eyes of a child watching the pastorela in Santa Fe de la Laguna.

 

Happiness during Santa Fe de la Laguna’s pastorela!

 

A little guy was dressed up to participate in Sevina’s pastorela.

 

At Santa María Huiramangaro’s pastorela, a mother carried her darling baby in her ribozo. The woman was pleased to have her baby’s photo taken.

 

This delightful little girl had fun playing with bottle caps – Santa María Huiramangaro.

 

In Santa María Huiramangaro, people could pick up a doll representing Baby Jesus.  They would say a prayer and kiss the doll.  I wondered what they were praying for…

 

While sitting on a ledge eating my lunch in Santa María Huiramangaro, I spotted two children eating ice cream.  Yum yum!

 

Oh, those eyes! Santa María Huiramangaro.

 

The carguera in Santa María Huiramangaro placed ribbons in the hair of the four women in our group.  She was so happy to welcome and celebrate us!  We had a blast hanging out with her – drinking, dancing, and laughing!

 

The best seat to view the pastorela in San Pedro Pareo!

 

We had the most delicious traditional meal in Angahuan, prepared from scratch by this talented woman who has cooked for many people from around the world – including for the Pope.

 

All dressed up and ready for the pastorela in Angahuan!

 

Beautiful!  Prepared for Angahuan’s pastorela.

 

While waiting for the evening’s pastorela dance contest in Santa Fe de la Laguna, I played peek-a-boo and totally connected with Yarella, a sweetie who is the carguero’s granddaughter!

 

 

We started and ended our pastorela dance tour in Santa Fe de la Laguna.  The second pastorela occurred at night, with several troupes dancing throughout the village and, ultimately, competing by displaying their skills in front of the carguero’s home.

*Note:  Photos taken on my phone, so quality not as good as my camera.

 

Small yet mighty dancer!

 

A wide variety of costumes.

 

On a stage in front of the community center, troupes performed for a big audience.

Zacán’s shepherds, lined up and ready to dance their pastorela.

 

Different than the sweet pastorela of San Pedro Pareo, in Zacán if one didn’t provide the entrance fee of a bottle of tequila, one was hung up until someone paid that person’s fee!

 

This was the only pastorela with a female lead dancer.

 

The religious element of pastorela dancing.

 

What a look!

 

After lunch, we – well, Noé our amazing driver! – drove to the village of Angahuan for their pastorela.  At this one, several groups of shepherds converged on the church to march as one big group with the three wise “men” (children on horseback), the Baby Jesus, and Saint Mary.
Walking toward the church before the festivities begin.

 

In the church’s courtyard were the twelve Stations of the Cross, each with its own pastorela-themed display.

 

Bright and colorful headdresses.

 

The three wise “men” lead the procession.

 

Carrying Baby Jesus and Saint Mary.

It seemed innocent and calm at first… Beautiful blue costumes on the shepherds holding gorgeously decorated staffs.

 

As the shepherds danced in front of various villagers’ homes, the “devils” arrived!

 
Viejos marched in the streets, too!

 

Music and dancing throughout the village.

 
Everyone converged on the patio at the carguero’s home.  It was packed with people – watching, dancing, eating, and drinking!
So sweet – the hand of this devil on a boy’s shoulder.  Notice what’s in the devil’s other hand?  Tequila, of course!

San Lorenzo’s pastorela presented many surprising aspects.  When we arrived, mothers, grandmothers, and aunts were dressing up young men, primarily pre-teens or teenagers, in heavy costumes.  Often, the multiple layers of skirts weigh over 20 pound, so the boys hold onto a rope to balance themselves.  Their fathers fit the scarf and mask on the boy’s head.  During the festivity, the carguero and his family serve food and beverages.  Our entrance fee – at pretty much each pastorela?  A bottle of tequila!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the young men donned their heavy costumes, viejos (in costumes meant to make them seem old) “tormented” onlookers.

 

Arrival of the Virgin Mary.

 

Negritos, dressed in black masks, whipped, goosed and pushed people – all in good fun, of course!

 

 

The dance competition captured everyone’s attention!  Village leaders, who formerly participated as dancers, were pulled from the stands to compete with current dancers.

 

Earnestly watching the dance competition.

 

Can’t have dancing without music!