Friday 31st January 2014…. a very interesting Pearson day!!!

Friday so that means a day with no appointments and a day to myself…..started with ordering propane for the casitas….I called and 30 minutes later the truck was here..it is an easy task to get gas into the tank on the roof…One guy goes on the roof top throws a rope down to the guy by the truck he attaches the hose and they pull it up and 2 minutes later the tank is filled!!

I took my car in for an oil change and service today so it was a bit of driving on the scooter to get the car and then get home and then get the scooter again to go get the car..still with me!!!!

Anyway I decided to go for my big hike and finish  picking the car up and that is what I did.

Now I have done many hikes and seen some amazing things and I think the most special was the one that you can read about if you go back to the archives on my blog and read the blog for 5th August 2012….well today there was one event that is right up there.

I left the highway and went into the hills and this was a view of down town my camera has a great zoom!!

I was soon in the country

The X is where I am heading you cannot see it yet but there is a cross up there

Interesting wall..

It was a good steady climb but soon came to the cross and the views…

This was my lunch spot…

Met only two other hikers on the trails

So I climbed up to this rock face and there was a drop of about 70 feet into a small canyon with a pool and this is where it got really special…

See the dash of red in the middle of this shot….

This lady was doing her washing and her two kids were with her..let me tell you I was in the middle of now where at least 5km from any houses how on earth did she get down there and back up with two kids and her laundry!!!!!!

I did a circular hike and came out at the top of the town where there is a large new mall and I know they had this store and I needed an ice cream cone!!!

I then walked back towards town and into the park where they have transformed it into a huge plant and flower market celebrating

This is the story of the candelaria…

 

 

Dia de la Candelaria: Marks the End of the Mexican Holiday Season and Heralds the Arrival of Spring

 

In a country that loves its celebrations, the observance of Candlemas, February 2, is the official closure to the Mexican holiday season.  After the family gathering, it’s time to take down all the Christmas décor and welcome the spring season. It is also ‘payback day’ for those who found a figure in their portion of the Day of Kings cake (January 6): this person is obligated to host a party of atole and tamales for all their family and friends. The Mexican celebration of Día de la Candelaria is an acknowledgement of both the European and prehispanic traditions, as tamales were used as offerings to the god of water, Tláloc, to ensure abundant rains for a plentiful harvest.

Religious Roots:   February 2nd falls forty days after Christmas, which date Catholics observe as the "Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin" or as the "Presentation of the Lord." According to Jewish law a woman was considered unclean for 40 days after giving birth so it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after that period of time had passed. It is believed that the infant Jesus would have been taken to the temple on February second. On this day, believers honor "the rising of the Baby Jesus," which consists of people carrying images and figures of baby Jesus to be blessed at the church.

Another important custom in Mexico, particularly in areas where traditions run strong, is for families to own an image of the Christ child, a niño Dios. At times a godparent is chosen for the niño Dios, who is then responsible for hosting various celebrations between Christmas and Candlemas. First, on Christmas Eve the niño Dios is placed in the Nativity scene; on January 6th, King's Day, the Christ child is brought presents from the Magi; and on February 2nd, the icon is dressed in fine clothes and presented in the church.

Other cultures around the world also take note of February 2^nd as it marks the point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. This date is regarded as a superstitious day in various cultures. In many places it is traditionally a time to prepare the earth for spring planting.  In the United States February 2 is observed as groundhog day- with the groundhog’s shadow predicting the arrival of spring. Even if the groundhog sees his shadow, there is still a long winter ahead. On needs to remember that these traditional parties originated before North America had the Super Bowl as a reason to party with friends during the worst of winter. But in Mexico, the mid-winter party is “Día de la Candelaria” (Day of the Candles), a celebration based on religious influences, pagan traditions and weather superstitions that celebrates spring’s arrival.

 

The colors were magnificent

 

 

I walked to the garage and the car was ready full service a new filter and ready to go I decided to drive back to the park and buy some plants..it is well organized many kids there with wheel barrows so you get your plants and put them in the barrow and the kids wheels it to the car this fine bunch cost me 300 pesos!!!

So I finally got home at 6pm and had hiked 12 miles and it felt good but those boots….I really need to get some cross trainers…. will work on that next week.

So another good supper, hot bath and now for a change I am watching a hockey game….blessings and I wish all my readers a wonderful start to February!!!