We see a lot of the Santo Justo Juez, the Just and Holy Judge (aka Jesus), around here--he's installed in the Iglesia de la Merced and a few others around town. And por casualidad, there's been quite a lot of judgment in our lives recently too.
For example, last week Oscar participated in a competition to see which school group could produce the best rendition of the national hymn.
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| The competition was at a school right around the corner, so Sean and I went there with Memo, our tutor. While we waited for the event to start, Memo recounted the choral disappointments of his childhood (denied a solo in a similar patriotic event). |
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| Mexico's got decorative talent. |
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| Clever! These are made with napkins separated by straws, strung on yarn. |
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| These chic choristers deserve some kind of prize. Most berrylicious? |
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| These girls did the escolta to kick things off. |
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| Oscar and his peeps Leo and Ricardo, "backstage" at the Escuela 20 de Noviembre. |
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| This salute is a little tiring when ALL the verses are sung. |
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| And here's Oscar's group, soaring to a sweet THIRD PLACE FINISH! |
The list of literary luminaries included:
- William Shakespeare
- Edgar Allen Poe
- Agatha Christie
- Charles Dickens
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Oscar Wilde
- CS Lewis
- JK Rowling
- Anne Rice
- Stephenie Meyer
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| Here we are with Memo. Memo's t-shirt says: How Many Licks DOES it take? |
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| The balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. |
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| The wonderful JK Rowling room! |
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| More detail from the Rowling room. |
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| The stage is set for a murder that only the brilliant Mr. Sherlock Holmes can solve! |
We tried to be justos and positivos -- we wrote encouraging comments for each group. And then it was time for our decision.
Results? First place: Edgar Allen Poe presentation. Second: JK Rowling presentation. Third: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (or Agatha Christie...I can't remember. Sean and I were arguing about it for a while.)
Last place (not that they asked, but I'm just saying): Stephenie Meyer presentation. It was mostly in Spanish, not English, and the play had more biting and growling than speaking.
Sean and I got certificates memorializing our service to the community -- plus gas money home. It was a really fun experience.
I'm loving your photos and descriptions of more life in Mexico, this time a literary event, and I'm already mourning your departure for you. Sorry to be premature.
ReplyDeleteIt feels as if Mexico is all about drama and pageantry, whether in the streets or the schools. I was impressed to read that even in this competition about literature/authors, the participants had to include an atmospheric or dramatic element. Fantastic! I'll bet it was fun to observe and evaluate.
Yes, even the humblest event -- a dance recital or birthday party -- often includes really impressive decorations and costumes. It's pretty wonderful.
DeleteStephenie Meyer...yikes! How did she make the list? Did they use a lot of glitter to get their vampires to sparkle?
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, the rest of the authors are a good choice.
Fun fact, Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes book, called A Study in Scarlet, featured a mysterious new cult called "Mormons". Brigham Young also makes a cameo.
Yes and, though not Ms. Meyer's fault, that presentation was lame, as I mentioned. The decoration consisted of posters from the movies. At least the boys kept their shirts on....
DeleteIt's early here, even for me, and I mis-read this as "At least the boys kept their skirts on..." Can't wait to see you!
DeleteGreat stuff. We definitely need a little more pageantry here in El Norte.
ReplyDeleteWe're hopelessly behind, but it's worth trying to catch up, I think.
ReplyDelete