Arin has been tutoring one of our summer school students, Daniel, and yesterday Daniel invited us to participate in a
calenda sponsored by his college. I had to work, but Arin walked the 3 miles in what he describes as a mobile party. The calenda winds through the streets of town. One person carries a giant paper globe with the name of the group and others might carry smaller decorations made from cellophane. You walk about 150 steps drinking mezcal, then the band starts playing and everybody stops to dance. Another 150 steps and you repeat. Of course traffic is halted while you snake through the streets of town and it took about 3 hours to go 3 miles. He said that virtually every person has either a bottle, a shot glass, or a cup in their hand.
Some of the calendas have choreographed dances with participants in traditional dress, but this calenda was just a drinking one. Arin didn't take any pictures but as we say in Oaxaca, "If you miss the parade, wait 5 minutes and catch the next one." I'll post a picture as soon as the next calenda marches by.
Update-I just ran out to the street because I thought I heard one, but it was another protest march instead.
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