What an amazing cultural day for us here in Oaxaca! This one was epic.
We walked to the Zocalo this morning, as we had heard there was some cultural events, and an evening carevale. On our way to the city, we passed by our neighborhood church and saw a Quinceanera.
When we arrived to the Zocalo, there was a cultural dance and music show. We think it was in honor of Valentine's Day, but I think they use that as an excuse to have events.
Walking up the pedestrian street, we came across another Quinceanera. This was incredibly elaborate, with a band, giant puppets, and the girl was on horseback. Beautiful!
We made it to the cathedral, where loads of people were already starting to get ready for the festival. We decided to grab a good seat, and people watch for a while. Suddenly, around the corner came a wedding parade.
Behind us in the cathedral, we watched as impeccably dressed guests were arriving for another wedding. The parade band, puppets and dancers were already milling about in the courtyard.
While all of this was happening, a guy opened up his door, pulled out a modified stationary bike, and started sharpening knives on the sidewalk. Life goes on!
With much fanfare, the Festival started coming down the street. Competing bands. Elaborately dressed villagers. Tons of enthusiastic tourists and locals alike taking it all in. It was extremely loud, chaotic, confusing, and incredibly fun.
Immediately after the parade passed, the wedding from the cathedral, which had been playing music and dancing, finally made it to the street for their parade.
We ended up following the parade through the city, where it ended at one of the church squares, which was set up with a huge tent and tons of people. Each village, band and performers made their way under the tent, and they continued to drum, play music, dance - it was absolute bedlam. The noise was indescribable, and to have experienced this was simply magic. One of our best days yet in Mexico!
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