ωανΩεεζψ(VanWeezy) Strange Sessions 2015

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Strange Sessions 2015

Fiestas Patrias: September 15-16 Independence Parties in Mexico SEP 14

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Fiestas Patrias: September 15-16 Independence Parties in Mexico

SEP 14

Posted by TC

On September 16, 1810, the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the bells of his church in Dolores, Guanajuato. A crowd of locals gathered around him on the front steps, and Hidalgo gave an passionate speech about the need for an independent Mexico, though today the exact words aren’t known.

Today, there are parties all over Mexico to commemorate this symbolic beginning of the Mexican War of Independence against Spain. The end of the war finally came 11 long years later in 1821.

Hidalgo’s grito (cry, shout) is reenacted all over Mexico the night before the holiday on September 15, usually at 11 p.m.. The highest government official around rings the bell that hangs from the front of the government palace in nearly every city and town. People fill thezocalo, the center square fronted by government buildings and the cathedral. They party and dance to live music, waiting for the mayor, governor or president to hang out the window, pull the cord for the bell, and give the grito. This is followed by three cheers of ¡Viva México!from the crowd.

¡Viva! ¡Viva! ¡Viva!

This is Mexican Independence day, not Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo was a victory against the French in the city of Puebla in 1862, though it’s better known in the U.S. as a good day to shove a lemon down the neck of your Corona, do tequila shots and eat tacos.

(By the way, in Mexico, they squeeze a lime into the beer, not a lemon, and never stick it down the neck. It’s like when Mexicans put ketchup on pizza – it just ain’t right.)

If a Mexican family doesn’t go to the zocalo to watch the grito, they may host or go to anoche mexicana (Mexican night), a party where they listen to Mexican music, eat antojitos mexicanos, and maybe dress up in traditional clothes.

It’s a big holiday in Mexico, and everyone has the day off on the 16th. Some fortunate folks – government workers like me – get more days off for a long weekend.

For weeks before, you can buy party favors on the street: flags, sombreros, fake moustaches – stuff like that. You don’t need to buy fireworks – the city will have plenty of those, along withbands, food and drink. It all depends on where you are.

In a city

There will be a big stage set up in the zocalo and a few bands. In big cities, or when especially popular bands are scheduled to play, people might get there in the afternoon before it gets too crowded. In Mexico City, for example, where the president gives the grito from the executive building on the zocalo, there are outdoor parties in other parts of town as well.

After the grito you can expect big fireworks, and then more music.

I’ve been to the zocalo on September 15 a few times in Toluca, where I live. Among others, I’ve seen classics like Los Angeles Azules, Los Tucanes del Norte, Pepe Aguilar, Banda el Recodo, and the comedian Adrian Uribe, better known as “El Vitor.” He’s the host of the Mexican version of Family Fued, 100 Mexicanos Dijieron.

This year is different in Toluca, perhaps everywhere in Mexico. Notices going around on social media are asking people not to attend in order to protest the government.

Small towns

In a small town with a close community, the party might be more like a huge potluck. Everyone stocks up on disposable plates and silverware and brings lots of food. The food might come out of a big tupperware container, or it might be grilled up right there. You’ll eat tacos, pozole, pambasos, tostadas, and much more. There’s also plenty of tequila, dancing and patiotism. Once in Temoaya, in the State of Mexico, they brought out a copy of the Mexican constitution:

 

And then the party afterwards:

Elsewhere, a fun thing after the grito is for the kids to spray everyone with silly string or sticky powder in a can. I’ve seen this after soccer victories too. This sleepy girl and her family are selling eggs full of powder and confetti to throw at people:

The party goes on, before and after the grito. If small towns don’t have a stage set up for live bands, they at least have an extra loud DJ:

 

The queen of the party:

On the beach, etc.

I’ve never been to a beach on September 15 or 16. I get a few days off work, but so does everyone else, so it’s not the ideal time to travel.

Mexico is a big, diverse country with regional cultural differences in every corner. It’s a bad country for generalizations – I’m just describing what I’ve seen here in the center of the country. Each region has at least one thing in common: deep, colorful, musical, delicious culture.

I’ve you’ve been to a different sort of Mexican Independence party, please tell me about it below.

¡Viva México!

How to protect Mexico's unhatched sea turtles? Drones. PBS NewsHour

How to protect Mexico's unhatched sea turtles? Drones.

 

PBS NewsHour 

11 Weird Laws That Could Ruin Your Next Trip September 8, 2015 by Shannon McMahon,

11 Weird Laws That Could Ruin Your Next Trip

September 8, 2015 by Shannon McMahon, SmarterTravel Staff

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Traveling can be an incredibly freeing experience, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're free to do whatever you want. Tourists often find themselves in hot water with locals or law enforcement for being ignorant of laws or cultural norms.

At best, this can be embarrassing. At worst, illegal. Switching into relaxation mode is essential for most vacations, but don't let it make you blind to some crucial information about your destination. Try making a must-not-do list in addition to your to-do list. In some places, chewing gum is illegal. In others, throwing out your metro ticket breaks the law. Here are a few weird laws to watch out for.

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Feeding The Pigeons In Venice

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Throwing birdseed in Venice's Piazza San Marco may seem like an innocent pastime, but Venice has banned feeding the city's massive pigeon population. Some people do still feed the birds, but the practice is punishable by a fine since the pigeons damage statues and require cleanup.

Pigeons perching on seed-throwing tourists used to be the square's trademark, but if you want to stay on the city's good side and avoid getting pooped on (even though it is, surprisingly, considered good luck), opt for wine at a patio and watch the birds milling around instead. That sounds more appealing anyway.

RELATED: 10 Things Locals Want You to Know About Venice

Taking Gum To Singapore

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The import of chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore since 1992 due to the damage it caused to the public transit system. While your bubblegum may seem harmless, Singapore's government says the nation spent $106,000 (US) per year cleaning up gum litter and damage before the ban, and can punish those caught importing or selling gum with a fine or even jail time.

Some gum is now permitted for "therapeutic" purposes, i.e. nicotine gum and sugar-free gum with dental health benefits, but sugary bubble gum is still a no-go.

  

Bringing Dirty Magazines And Alcohol To The Maldives

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A primarily Islamic country, many people think the Maldives bans bringing in non-Muslim religious material like the Bible. This isn't true: Only religious icons like statuettes are banned by customs.

But the country does impose a ban on bringing in pornographic material and alcohol. That includes sex toys and liquor sold duty-free past airport security, so leave those items behind unless you want to risk an embarrassing bag search and possible fine.

RELATED: 10 Strangest Sex Laws in the USA

  

Gambling In India

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There's a somewhat common misconception that playing cards outside is illegal in India. This probably comes from the fact that in the majority of the country, gambling is banned, and playing cards for money could be considered a form of gambling.

If you come across or engage in a harmless game of Black Jack or poker while visiting, be sure not to wager any money or anything that could be a stand-in for currency, like marked poker chips. The game could cost you a hefty fine or up to three months of jail time.

RELATED: What Not to Do in Las Vegas

Having Drugs In Southeast Asia

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Southeast Asian countries like Bali, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines have notoriously harsh drug laws. This is likely due to trafficking problems that come from the Golden Triangle, an area bordering Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar that produces the world's largest amounts of illegal opiate drugs.

Tourists have famously fallen victim to these laws whether they're carrying drugs intentionally or accidentally. An Australian model, Michelle Leslie, faced 15 years of prison time in 2005 after police said she brought two ecstasy tablets into a Bali club. Leslie was released, but other traffickers have been executed for similar drug offenses. Avoidunknowingly becoming a drug mule and never purposely travel with illegal substances.

Tossing Out Your Metro Ticket In Cities Like Paris And Madrid

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The consequences for throwing out a metro ticket in some cities prove that ignorance truly isn't an excuse to get out of breaking the law. Tourists—especially those who don't speak the local language and can't read posted warnings—sometimes report finding themselves ambushed by Metro police and unable to exit public transit stations without paying a fine. Why? Because they threw out the single-trip ticket that gained them access, thinking they wouldn’t need it to exit the underground. While that little ticket may seem useless after it gains you access to the train, you may need it to exit or to prove you didn't hop a turnstile.

To prevent this debacle from happening, buy a weekend-long metro card or a multi-trip ticket rather than the single-use ticket. The exit fine for not keeping or losing your single-trip slip could break your budget if you're busted, and multi-ride cards usually end up saving you money anyway.

Dissing The Government In China

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China is a beautiful destination with an incredibly rich history, and it also has a government that differs greatly from many Western nations in terms of privacy and public knowledge. A group of South African, British, and Indian nationals were recently arrested and then deported from China, accused of having "terror links." The tourists, however, said they were arrested for watching a documentary about Genghis Kahn, the conqueror who led the Mongol invasion of China in the 1200s. The Chinese government called the video the tourists watched in their lodging "propaganda" and arrested all of them.

While this is likely a rare case, remember to research the government and legal structure of your destination, and know a little bit about its history to avoid offending people who have the power to ruin your trip.

RELATED: Walking the Great Wall of China

Expecting To Use Airbnb In Some Cities

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Traveling at the last minute is often a fun, worthwhile adventure if you find the perfect airfare option for a steal. Traveling at the last minute is often a fun, worthwhile adventure if you find the perfect airfare option for a steal. But don't depend on readily accessible last-minute lodging, especially if you're on a budget.

Airbnb is largely illegal in some cities, including New York, Santa Monica, and Paris. Hosts need to have permits to host travelers in these places, which means Airbnb availability could be low or virtually non-existent. Look at your options ahead of time, even if it's the day before your arrival. If you're really in a pinch, you can take advantage of super quick hotel options like Hotel Tonight, an app that fills still-vacant hotel rooms at the last minute. It's important to have a back-up plan.

Wearing Camouflage In Barbados

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Only members of the military are permitted to wear camouflage in Barbados, and it's surprisingly not just because it's a crime against fashion. The ban was enacted in the 1980s to prevent gang members from impersonating soldiers and robbing people. That's not as much of a problem these days, but the law still remains and offenders can be fined.

Kissing In Dubai And Abu Dhabi

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Tourists visiting the United Arab Emirates should be aware that the nation's public decency laws differ greatly from those of Western countries. Publicly kissing and/or touching your significant other can land you in jail, as this British couple learned in 2013. Hefty fines can also be imposed, so make sure you remember to keep your hands and lips to yourself while exploring Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

RELATED: Really Weird Romantic Traditions Around the World

Going Out Beach-Ready In Barcelona

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While Barcelona is home to two nude beaches, the city itself doesn't share the lax decency rules of even a standard public beach. Going in public wearing only a bathing suit—bikini or swim trunks—is illegal in the Spanish city, and could result in a fine as well as lots of looks from offended locals. Make sure to cover up before you leave the beach, even if it's not one of the nude ones.