Guelaguetza: July 22nd

     Oaxaca was buzzing while we were there not only because there were local elections going on, but also because their big festival which only happens once a year and draws in millions of tourists was happening. This large celebration is called the Guelaguetza. Everything increases during the time of the Guelaguetza such as the amount of small festivals, events going on in the center of town, vendors on the streets, and obviously tourists in the city. The Guelaguetza is a large indigenous cultural event which takes place every year. It was taking place the last week that we were there. There are dances, food, music, and things to buy everywhere.  It was really great because there is normally so much going on there, but there was even more because of the Guelaguetza. One festival which we walked by when we decided to explore the one park was a mescal festival. There were also lots of free concerts.
     The main events are the big performances and dances. The main Guelaguetza is in a large arena and has become very touristy and expensive. People camp out and pay hundreds of dollars to get tickets. Instead we went to the Guelaguetza Popular, a form of the celebration put on by the large teacher's union in Oaxaca. It is completely free and easy to get into.
     We all met at SURCO early in the morning and took a van about 20 minutes or so to get to where it was. It was pretty packed when we got there. It was very very very very hot there. The temperature in Oaxaca was always perfect for me. It would be a little cool in the mornings and at night and then during the day just strong heat with not humidity. Granted we were never outside in the sun for long periods of time but at the Guelaguetza we were. All of the bleachers which we sat in were covered to protect people from the sun. Anyone who did not get a seat on the bleachers was sitting out in the sun but most people used umbrellas to protect themselves. In general on the whole trip it was very common to see people walking down the street with an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun. While I was enjoying the sun maybe a little too much since I did get a little red some times, locals were always using umbrellas. Luckily we were able to get a seat under the shade at the Guelaguetza.
     The dances and performances were very similar to what we saw in the beginning of the trip at La Casa de Cultura. Beautiful dresses were everywhere and there were really cool large puppets that people would walk under and control.

Large puppets that people were standing underneath of.

Lots of umbrellas and the show just ready to start.

Neat lizard costume.

      There was constant entertainment there. Throughout the performances people would throw different prizes into the audience. At one point loaves of bread were being thrown so we were all on the lookout so we did not get hit. Sure enough all of a sudden I look and one is flying towards me. I wasn't even standing up trying to catch it. I was sitting down and somehow it flew past everyone else and came right to me. It came right to my side and Niki and I cradled it right in between us. We were both so excited. I never catch or win anything. I didn't even care what it was just the fact that I caught it was rewarding enough for me.

Proudly showing off the prize.

     We stayed there for awhile and then went and explored the vendors right outside of the facility. Things there were a lot more expensive than they would be at the normal markets because it was a special event. We wished we had more time to go explore and enjoy some of the other events that were going on as part of the Guelaguetza during our time in Oaxaca. So many cool things were going on and we had wished we had the time to see more. All of this showed how important culture and tradition is in Oaxaca. People there are so proud of who they are and where they come from, they are constantly celebrating it. It was beautiful to see culture so strongly celebrated. Where I live at home there is nothing even remotely close. Tradition is also very important to them and that these celebrations and dances and festivals continue on throughout the years and get passed down from generation to generation. These celebrations are very important to people there. Many people took off work for the weeks of the Guelaguetza, such as my boss Carolina so I did not have work the last week we were there. We were so lucky to be there at the time of this amazing celebration.

- Lindsay