Sharon Holds Onto Her Title
I am looking forward to tonight’s fundraiser for Vallarta Cares at The Social Club on Basilio Badillo, brought to you by my dear and kind friend Brian Bott. I have never been to the speakeasy, but I’ve heard rave reviews, and I plan to wear a vintage dress that mimics the style worn in the late 20s and early 30s. (Another great find at the Coapinole tianguis.) A full report tomorrow morning.
As Qulture had a late start opening yesterday, Sharon Gerber Scherer and I moved the monthly Scrabble Tournament to a venerable old resto on the river. We played three very tight, stressful games, and as you can see from the photo, Sharon crowned herself Scrabble Queen for the second time in a row! A well-deserved win!
I won a game at bingo at Nacho Daddy and brought home a bottle of red wine in anticipation of my sister’s arrival next month. The next bingo will be on the 17th, following Mexico’s liveliest celebration on the 16th, Independence Day.
That’s not actually true. There is a parade on the 16th, and it’s a revered National holiday, but the real fun starts on the night before. All you newbies listen up: be downtown by 10 pm – you’ll have to walk because Morelos will be closed to traffic and Juarez will become a two-way street for a few hours.
Around 11 pm, in every town and city in the country, on September 15th, the Cry for Independence – El Grito – will ring out, with the current Mayor recreating the words of Father Miguel Hidalgo, who encouraged his parishioners to rise up against Spain. And thus began the eleven years of social unrest that resulted in the free nation of Mexico.
The story, and the actual words spoken, are unknown because they weren’t written down, so liberties have been taken with the text, but the final two words echo across the entire country – ¡Viva, Mexico! and closer to our hearts, ¡Viva, Puerto Vallarta!
That is followed by the church bells ringing, the National Hymn being sung fervently by everyone, fireworks that go on and on, and a street dance that continues until the last person standing can start the clean up.
I have only missed a few Gritos over the three decades I have lived here, and they never fail to move me.
The children, including babes in arms, are dressed and made up as mustachioed, fierce revolutionaries, and thousands come together, shoulder to shoulder, to peacefully celebrate an independent Mexico. Nobody throws parties like the Mexicans, and The Grito is the best fiesta of the year, so don’t miss it!
Another thing not to miss is the Rearview Mirror, which is published every Friday morning and pops up in your inbox like a regular weekly newspaper or magazine. It consists of everything published in the past week in Vallarta Mirror, all bundled together for an easy read to kick off the weekend. Subscribe here easily: https://vallartamirror.com/rearview-mirror-signup/
Enjoy this gorgeous day and smile at everyone you pass on the street. It’s a small but significant gift.