Viva Mexico!

A loud “¡Viva!”is called out at the start of each delivered sentence The holiday itself is marked with a reenactment of the Cry of Dolores, when, at 11 p.m., the President of México rings the very same bell Hidalgo rang, which was relocated to the National Palace in México City. A loud “¡Viva!”is called out at the start of each delivered sentence, to which the crowd responds in kind. At the conclusion of the President’s impassioned words, political officials in towns large and small all across México can be heard ringing symbolic bells, giving similar ardent addresses to their constituents. And calls of ¡Viva Hidalgo! and ¡Viva la Independencia Nacional! (or Long live Hidalgo! and Long live the nation’s independence!) echo in the celebratory streets. The second day of the holiday is observed with all-day grand celebrations, complete with family feasts, colored confetti and booming fireworks late into the night. Parades, rodeos, bullfights and street parties call out townships across México to remember their roots. Towers of braided willow and palm stalks are set ablaze, mariachi music booms into the night and traditional foods with ingredients that reflect the national colors are plentiful. Los Cabos in September is a typical example of what happens all across México. The town is overflowing with national pride, street parades and fireworks to honor the event. Restaurants, hotels and nightclubs throw Noche Mexicana celebrations, showcasing specialty beverages like the Mexican Flag Shooter, an alcoholic drink with the colors of the flag layered in a shot glass. All of Cabo is awash in a flurry of green, white and red. And those same colors are ceremoniously and quite intentionally used in any sellable medium – flowers, apparel, strings of lights – in an effort to both honor a great independence, and contribute to the self-reliant economy of the Mexican people. And that, is exactly what Hidalgo cried for.]]>