I first heard about this event at lunch time on the last day of school. A student tried her best to explain but I didn't quite get it. I showed up anyways. All would be revealed. The only snag was that it began at 7 pm, clock out time. I rode home, parked the scooter, unloaded my backpack, headed to the rendez-vous point and arrived around 7:20. Everyone was still there and more stragglers were still arriving.
Everyone was in a great mood. Spirits were high.
This was Calenda, a happy drinking and dancing parade weaving its way through town.
I took a turn wearing one of the mascot costumes. I don't think I did a very good job. Most mascots jump around and dance. I tried not to bump into people. That thing is top heavy. You grab on to the strong wire mesh inside. If you tip a little, the mascot dips a lot. Eventually a better person took over the job.
Time for another dancing break, this time in the center of Infonavit.
We even had a police escort. There was a moment I felt a bit self-conscious about walking in the middle of the street with a beer in one hand and tequila in the other with a flashing police car behind me but it wasn't a problem. Their job was to ensure that nobody interfered with my public drinking. Fun.
Friendly UMAR people on standby in the back of a truck, making sure nobody was left without a cold beer.
There was so much booze. I had to start declining generous offers of mezcal. Eventually the party weaved right by my apartment complex and I dropped out. I was beat. I'd had a full night already but the party continued on without me. What a great tradition to celebrate the end of a grueling semester.
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