Viva Mexico - Day 2

Most of the next day was dedicated to recreation of the events of 200 years ago.  At the appointed time, Ignacio Allende (2nd from the left) came galloping into town with the other heroes of the independence movement, Father Miguel Hidalgo and the Aldama brothers.  The gallop was so spirited and the crowd so appreciative that they ended up making several circuits of the route.

 

Here is Allende with the banner of the Virgin of Guadelupe.  The original banner, which was recently returned from Spain, can be seen in Mexico City.

 

Following the riders were the insurgents from the countryside carrying torches, machetes and pitchforks.

 I loved this guy with the nasty pitchfork in the lower right of the picture.

 

 and this sweet little boy being carried in his father's arms.

There were more horses and more parades and lots of torch carrying runners between the major cities of the region..

 As the sun set, we wandered around trying to find a better vantage point than last night.

We got really lucky and found a rooftop bar with a clear view of the crowds below, the rebuilt castillo, the light show on the Paroquia and the fireworks overhead.  Viva Mexico!