Doña María.
“Granny!” The boys on the garbage truck shout to her, waving their hands in greeting.
Doña Maria sweeps her street every day, and not only her street, but also that of her neighbors and the whole block, or as far as her strength allows her to go. Her street is Calle Javier Mina, in the neighborhood of San Sebastián de Ajijic. She and her husband arrived here many years ago. He worked in construction, after having taken care of a farm with hot springs which was on the road in Zapotitán de Hidalgo. She does not remember when they got here, nor the date of her husband’s death. She’s forgotten many things, but not the cold that seeped through the windows of the spacious bodega where they lived at first.
Now she lives in a house with a narrow hallway and uneven steps that she walks down every day without difficulty. She lives with her 64-year-old daughter who is bedridden with «sugar» complications. At 94 years old, Margarita Montes Moya takes care of her daughter, and although a granddaughter helps them, Doña Maria carries most of the responsibility on her shoulders. Even at night, she sometimes wakes up to assist her daughter.
This morning, in the company of Ajijic artist Antonio López Vega, I talked with Doña Maria. She is always looking up. Her body is tiny, short and lean, her strong legs marked by varicose veins. Her thin hands are covered with age spots, and visible veins run down her arms. Her face is furrowed with the lines of time. She doesn’t use a cane, she doesn’t wear glasses. She can eat anything without problems, although she likes frijoles best. She wears a flowered apron, a short-sleeved sweater and cloth tennis shoes.
“Let’s go for coffee,” we suggested. She agrees and we walk down the street, the one she sweeps every day, very close to La Cochera Cultural.
“When I sweep I earn my pennies,” she says, smiling. ““I went to school, but I didn’t learn.”
She likes to work, to clean the street, to clean her kitchen. She wakes up early because the bed makes her tired. She doesn’t like to sit down, either. She was the youngest of ten siblings and her mother, she says, taught her to wash and embroider.
She used to like to go to mass and to sit in the square to watch the day go by. She hasn’t done that for a long time.
Antonio López Vega is painting a portrait of Doña Mary.
“Do you know who this is?” we ask her, showing her the painting. She looks at it for a long time and smiles.
“It’s you.”
“Who is it?” we ask again.
“ Maria,“ she says, blushing.
She sips her coffee and eats three cookies from the plate.
Serenely, she observes the children painting in the workshop of La Cochera. She looks at the sky and searches her deepest memories to continue talking. Sometimes she repeats herself, but she keeps on talking.
“Blessed be God,” she says.
This woman knows no fatigue.
“Don’t you get tired?” we ask her. And she does: she gets tired of sitting, tired of the bed, tired of doing nothing. Doña Mary does not remember many things. But she has not forgotten to smile, to walk in the middle of the street that is hers because she has always swept it and because she has walked it so many times that the steps cannot be counted or forgotten.
Ajijic, Jalisco. October 30, 202.
Translated by Elisabeth Shields
Miss Grand México 2021, Mariana Macías from San Antonio Tlayacapan will face a new challenge in the beauty pageant crunways.
Editorial staff.- With the crown of Miss Grand México 2021, Mariana Macías from San Antonio Tlayacapan will face a new challenge in the beauty pageant crunways. She will represent Chapala and México in the ninth edition of the Miss Grand International 2021 pageant to be held from November 16th to December 5th.
In a local interview, Mariana said it would be Mexico’s first time participating in the Miss Grand International pageant. She has begun to research the host country, as well as increasing her skills in public speaking, runway modeling, and physical exercise, among other disciplines as she prepares to head to Thailand.
If she qualifies and triumphs in the distinguished beauty pageant’s December 4th final, the former Miss Jalisco 2019 pledged she would work on her range of activities that include trips to different countries. If she doesn’t win the crown, she believes she already feels like a winner since she has achieved a tremendous level of self confidence.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
Town council session held last Thursday, November 4
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Only nine homes will have access to the State Fund for Natural Disasters (FOEDEN), it was announced in the last municipal council session, held on Thursday, November 4.
During the meeting, both the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, and the general secretary, Lilia Alvarado Macias, explained that only two types of support were available: rebuilding damage to infrastructure for two homes, and replacing damaged household goods in seven homes.
A few hours after the landslide in west Ajijic, the municipal government issued a communiqué in which they estimated the number of affected homes at a total of 159, of which 61 had total structural damage and loss of household goods.
More recently, Aguirre stated that only approximately 42 homes would be eligible for FOEDEN resources, according to the state civil protection report, but the state only approved 9 homes..
The amount approved for those that suffered structural damage was $541,111 pesos, of which the state would contribute 50% and the municipality the other 50%; while the damage to household goods is $209,187 pesos, where 80% would be provided by the state and the rest (20%) by the municipality.
Likewise, Secretary General Lilia stated that the required information has already been sent to the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), which, in approximately five working days, will have an answer on the grant rules and how resources will be sent to those affected.
Regarding the number of houses approved for the fund, the municipal trustee, Gamaliel Soto, commented: «It is not the only mechanism where the damage suffered by the people can be reimbursed; it is only one of ways to access funding. We e will seek support for more victims, including individuals and organized commerce […] it is up to the government to deal with the resources it has.»
The municipal council of civil protection ratified the agreements and approved the formation of the emergency committee during the session of October 6th. President Aguirre added that they have not ceased providing food supplies and visiting damaged sites, and commented that from the moment of the incident that occurred on October 5th, they have worked with more than 100 people; he also thanked the generous support of civilians. Finally, the item to access the aforementioned resources was approved.
Translated by Kerry Watson
Fragment of the walk from the Malecón of San Juan Cosalá to the Main Plaza. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía – With a participation of around two thousand people, the third edition of the «Paseo de las Ánimas» walk was held in San Juan Cosalá on the Day of the Dead. According to Luis Guzmán, artistic coordinator of the event, the attendance exceeded his expectations, since so many Expats and tourists from Guadalajara and even from different towns of the riverside attended.
«I got to see many people I know from Guadalajara, from the United States, even from Ajijic», said the ex-director of Culture of Jocotepec, who also commented that the citizen participation was very helpful, including contributions of money, by covering the Kiosk of Cempasúchil, and decorating the Plaza.
The idea arose three years ago as a result of his desire to take advantage of the many legends that are part of the essence of one of the oldest towns of the riverside, explained Luis Guzmán.
«We thought it would be very cool to recreate a story, which is very much our own, that of Michicihualli, deity of the Lake or La Mujer pescado», as she is also known.
In the event, La Michicihualli is represented by a young woman of the town, in which «we look for a profile with not so modern features, not so Spanish features», which in this third edition, was Citlalli, 18 years old, who walked from the Lagoon to inaugurate the festival in the center of the town.
Her walk to the town center represents the goddess who comes to illuminate the town square, which, according to the tradition of the festival, remains dark until the caravan of monarch butterflies and the endemic fauna of the Lagoon safely transport the «fish woman» to illuminate the journey of the dead towards ours world, according to Guzmán.
The walk begins with a ritual at the foot of the lake, where seeds and fruits are offered, and then the deity, which ascends from the water, is transported to the main square by the residents.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
A sidewalk obstructed by material, is one of the recurring complaints of the town, which would be covered by this anonymous complaint system.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – A new WhatsApp number and Facebook page will be set up for Ajijic to streamline the process of complaints from the residents of the town; in addition, complaints can be made anonymously. With this system, the aim is to reach quick and individual resolutions with the complainants and the respondents.
The person in charge of Ajijic’s office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, commented that since he took office he has received many complaints regarding different matters; for example, the obstruction of walkways with building materials or rubble, people who throw away their trash after the truck has already passed, or owners who walk their pets and leave their poop in the garbage.
«We have set up a WhatsApp number and soon a Facebook page to deal with these complaints anonymously. We don’t want to embarrass anyone, it’ s just a way for the community to educate themselves little by little and become aware of the care and image of the streets,» Max said.
He commented that the process to be followed is that after receiving the complaint, it will not be released, but the accused will be visited personally, in order to talk to them and reach a solution to the problem. «For example, on the walkways, not to obstruct and to seek a permit to put some debris temporarily in a space on the street».
Semanario Laguna asked a small group of people randomly for their opinion on this, to which, in their entirety, they agreed with this action, as it seems to them a gentle way of sanctioning the offenders.
«It’s a good way of giving people a little fright, this way they will avoid doing things they know they shouldn’t, what you see most is that they take out the rubbish all week or after the lorry has passed, and then it falls and makes a mess, or the dogs destroy it, etcetera. Not only because of the trash, but because of the other things that were mentioned, it is a sign that the town leaders are getting closer to the people and listening to them,» said Antonio, a native of Ajijic interviewed by Laguna..
Those interviewed also agreed that this new way of working will avoid conflicts between neighbours and will lead them to take responsibility. «There are neighbours who are very difficult and you can’t say anything to them, because they get angry and want to fight, but if the authorities visit them to make them see their wrongdoing, they are more likely to get on the same page,» said Ángela, also an inhabitant of the town.
Finally, Max said that while they are working on the details of setting up the system, they will continue to receive complaints by telephone at 376 766 1760. He also asked the population to help, like sweeping the front of their homes, and he invited everyone to do their bit.
Translated by Dee Lynn.
Catrinas guarding the entrance to the Kiosk. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Musician and singer-songwriter, Paco Padilla gave a thrilling performance in the Main Square of Jocotepec for the event organized by the City Hall for the Day of the Dead.
Paco, who was part of Jocotepec’s cultural program, packed the plaza in a performance surrounded by local exhibits and displays.
Both the third rendition of the Walk of the Souls in San Juan Cosalá, as well as the first version of the festival and exhibition of altars, «Al fin, para morir nacimos» (In the end, we were born to die) in the municipal capital were well attended by both local and foreign visitors.
Jocotepec’s Main Square overflowed with costumes of different styles and colors common to the Day of the Dead, the smell of cempasúchil flowers that permeated the atmosphere. An altar commemorating all the victims of COVID-19 delight locals and tourists alike.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Ajijic, is close to starting the restoration project
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- The project for the restoration of Ajijic’s Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary is very close to starting, and after four fundraising events, the group “Sumando Voluntades” or Summoning Volunteers is ready to take the next step.
Their most recent event was the seventh annual Run for the Rosary, held on the day of the Virgin of the Rosary, October 31, with 180 runners participating in the race. The race and the fair held on the same day raised 40 thousand pesos, giving a total of approximately 350 thousand pesos that the group has raised to start working.
The architect in charge of the project, Josué Ramos, said that the restoration project was presented to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and needs some modifications, however, the capital raised is enough to get started.
«They asked us to revise the structural project to the specifications provided by the architect of the INAH. The architect said that we don’t have to spend all the capital in the first stage since they were quite simple things to start with,» Josué asserted.
He also added that they have more events in mind, although they have yet to plan the details or set the date. In the short term, they plan to focus on the architectural survey and the necessary restructuring.
«We will continue to raise funds for this project. For the moment, we are thinking of selling a black and white poster with the Virgin of the Rosary and the little chapel in the background, which we will start selling during the patron saint festivities and whenever we have the opportunity», concluded the architect Josué.
Translated by Kerry Watson.
The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes.
Instituto Terranova Writing Workshop. – The Terranova Institute celebrated the Day of the Dead like never before with the creation of an altar of the dead, a costume parade, folkloric dance numbers, and an aerial dance, among other activities. Nine art and sports workshops allowed all students to participate and watch the events.
The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes. Chess students performed a game with living pieces.
Students of the music workshop enlivened the festival with songs, while the students of the Acrobatics workshop performed a surprising display of their rope skills. No less surprising was the aerial dance workshop.
Teachers and students made a six-level altar featuring a colorful sawdust mat, floral offerings, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, different dishes, and the typical papel picado, as well as photographs of loved ones.
Translated by Elisabeth Shields.
For the second year in a row, the large altar on top of the Quiosco de San Juan Cosalá was set on fire. Photo: Courtesy.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía: For the second consecutive year, the Day of the Dead monumental altar on the Kiosk of San Juan Cosalá was set on fire, although this year, unlike last year, the blaze was caused intentionally, according to Luis Guzmán coordinator of the November 1 «Paseo de las Ánimas» event.
Although the identity of the culprits is known, their names have not yet been officially released, said one of the participants of the «Paseo de las Ánimas» who preferred to remain anonymous. Furthermore, according to Luis Guzmán, the organizers were unaware of the fire that broke out in the early hours of November 2nd until the following morning.
«This is not only an offense to me and my team, but to the entire community, since it was the residents themselves who helped to decorate and make the festival a reality,» Guzmán explained, dismayed by the situation.
According to Guzmán ‘s version, all possible precautions were taken and he and his team checked everything before leaving because of their experience of the accidental fire at the last festival caused by a candle that set fire to the altar.
«I personally extinguished all the candles, I made sure that nothing was left burning and regarding the wires, we did not leave a single one, precisely wanting to avoid any kind of short circuit, we checked everything; this, sadly, was intentional,» said Luis, via telephone to Semanario Laguna.
Thus the work of the residents of San Juan Cosalá, which took approximately two weeks to cover the entire Quisco de flores de Cempasuchil, was reduced to ashes in a single night.
According to an anonymous source, the people who caused the fire are already known by the people of San Juan Cosalá themselves. Since the complaint was made unofficially, the suspects are presumed to be public servants whose motive for setting fire to the offering is also unknown.
A meeting will be held at the offices of the delegation between the organizers of the festivity, who are seeking to reveal the culprits so that the events do not happen again. The meeting is scheduled for on Friday, November 5, around 7:00 p.m.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan.
On November 1 and 2, the cemetery was open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm with a Covid checkpoint at the entry.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– Unlike last year when the municipal cemetery only allowed people to enter to clean the tombstones, this year people were able to decorate the graves of their relatives who have passed away and spend some time together.
The doors of the cemetery were kept open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 1 and 2, and strict Covid checkpoints were maintained at the entrance. Visitors were required to wear masks and many did, and sanitizing gel was provided. In addition, Civil Protection personnel were on hand to assist.
«It is a beautiful tradition that year after year we try not to lose, besides being a moment of uniting with our living and our dead. I met many people that I know here and we were happy that this year the cemetery was more accessible and we could stay longer. And we found a very clean cemetery», said one of the Ajijic residents who was at the cemetery.
Inside the cemetery, people were busy cleaning and decorating the tombs, as well as sitting and socializing among families. Every grave, even the oldest and most forgotten, had at least one flower. Outside the cemetery flowers and food were on sale.
The person in charge of the office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, said that elements of civil protection and public security were patrolling the cemetery. He also said that there were no mishaps and that people followed the requirements and respected the hours of service.
«The cemetery was not closed as such, because the gate to the stream is missing, but at the time (of closing) people were invited to leave and there were no problems. There were no altercations or mishaps», said Maximiliano «Max» Macías.
Also, on November 2, the cemetery closed one hour later by order of the Chapala City Hall, so that the families had the opportunity to leave their graves ready and clean of the garbage they may have generated during that afternoon.
Translated by Amy Esperanto.
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala