We were charmed by our first visit to Jerez, Zacatecas back in December and the spell cast on us deepened with the three day stay last weekend. The annual Assembly of the Disciples of Christ Church (ICDC) brought us to town and rather than stay in a church member’s home this time, we decided to try out a “tourist experience” of the town and stay in the Hotel Le Jardin on the town plaza. For less than $20 a night and an excellent breakfast, it was a good choice, sweetened by the fact that the annual “Fiesta de Tostada” was being celebrated with the plaza as the center of activity.
Jerez is a delightful place to experience the encroachment of four wheelers and computer games on Mexico’s rural culture represented by the “vaquero”/cowboy and the richly varied musical traditions. We returned to our hotel at 1 on Saturday night and marveled at the bands playing on each corner, the packs of teenage girls and boys circulating, and the decorum that prevailed. Loud yes, but with a measure of grace and gracious manners that seem characteristic of traditional Mexican culture.
We decided that the photo gallery below was the best way to share the experience with you. As you browse the photos, you might be led to reflect on what the Mexican immigrant to the U.S. has had to give up with their move and how their immigration has contributed to the U.S. culture today. For a start, consider how all the words corral, rodeo, lasso, stirrup, lariat are all due to the presence of Mexican cowboys in Texas and other western states before they became part of the U.S. We hope Johnny Depp’s performance in the newly released Lone Ranger movie reveals that Tonto’s name (“stupid” in Spanish) was conceived by a writer who apparently knew very little Spanish.
“Bienvenidos”, welcome, to Jerez, one of the towns the federal government has named and funded as a “Pueblo Magico” or magical town. We’re looking forward to visiting more of the “pueblos magicos” of Mexico. To enlarge the photos click once on one of the images.

Facade of the “Santuario” Cathedral. The clock’s time is correct!

Praise “Alabanza” section of opening worship for the Assembly featured dancers’ debut .

Stirrups in an antique shop

Hats for cowboys and mariachi band members among others

Boys’ outfits – for first communion?

Sidewalk outside the boyhood home of famed poet Ramon Lopez Velarde

The Lopez Velarde home’s kitchen pantry

Unofficial docent in the home is a Lopez Velarde family member who shared a poem with me

Serving tostadas in the plaza to open the Fiesta de Tostada events

The city band played for the Tostada Fiesta opening

Another band parades around the plaza

Disciples from Tijuana attended the Assembly and met Kate and Minnie in the plaza

Newly elected ICDC Disciples President Pastor Leobardo Flores gave a workshop on the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Jerez is 40 km. southwest of Zacatecas, capital of the state of the same name

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related