Saludos!
September is the month of Mexican Independence – an occasion which is celebrated widely and boisterously throughout the country.
On September 16, 1810, in Dolores, a beautiful village in Guanajuato state, a progressive priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla became the father of Mexican independence with his historic proclamation urging his fellow Mexicans to take up arms against the Spanish government. Known as the “Grito de Dolores”, Hidalgo’s declaration launched a decade-long struggle that ended 300 years of colonial rule, established an independent Mexico and helped cultivate a unique Mexican identity. The anniversary of Hidalgo’s historic speech is now celebrated as the country’s birthday. On the eve of the 15th of September, at the National Palace in the Zócalo (main square in Mexico City), the President rings the bell. He then gives a patriotic speech based on the Cry of Dolores and names the important heroes of the Mexican War of Independence. The ceremony wraps up with the waving of the Mexican flag… all to the applause of the crowd and the mass singing of the national anthem.
The anniversary of Hidalgo’s historic speech is now celebrated as the country’s birthday. On the eve of the 15th of September, at the National Palace in the Zócalo (main square in Mexico City), the President rings the bell. He then gives a patriotic speech based on the Cry of Dolores and names the important heroes of the Mexican War of Independence. The ceremony wraps up with much waving of the Mexican flag… all to the applause of the crowd and the mass singing of the national anthem.
The drink of choice to celebrate our Independence is the traditional Bandera, a three-part drink inspired by the colors of the Mexican flag. It consists of three shot glasses: one filled with white tequila (I choose a nice Cristalino – Don Julio 70 or the Herradura Ultra), a shot of fresh lime juice (for the green part) and finally a shot of the famous Sangrita (the red part), a preparation whose origin dates back to the 1920’s. This tantalizing trio is consumed in the same order as the colors of the Mexican flag: first the green (lime juice), then the white (tequila) and, lastly, the Sangrita. The 3-Shot Bandera should be sipped – not drunk in one go. If you’d like to try this at home – or anywhere else you feel patriotically inspired – I’ve included a link to my favorite Sangrita recipe.
September is a month where the elements show themselves in their most intense form, as we are at the height of the rainy season. Warm and humid days are generally followed by late afternoon showers and occasional thunderstorms which provide great evening thunder and lightning entertainment “Nat Geo-style” without interfering with daytime activities.
We declare that the 16th of September is an excellent reason, not only for a cry of Dolores – we are in Punta Mita, after all – but for a “calientamento de motores” (firing of the engines). Let this article mark that the heat and general stickiness of this season will not deter us from our ice-cold drinks, our spicy Mexican tacos and our delicious swims in the warm waters of our beaches.
Also on our beautiful beaches, there is another kind of “independence” going on – the “liberation” of thousands of baby sea turtles. Although this is a different kind of independence, it is a similar struggle which deserves its own “grito”… “Viva La Vida!”
For all these good reasons and the fact that we live in such a beautiful country, we loudly join the patriotic shout of
Viva Mexico!
— Miguel C
Bon vivant, gastronome and all-around great guy – Miguel Neves de Carvalho brings you the best of what Punta Mita and the surrounding area have to offer. His passions include polo, horse riding, rugby, cigars and most recently … golf.
Miguel lives in Punta Mita with his youngest son, his fiancée, Lisa, and his two dogs “Tanqueray” and “Tonica”.
He started Punta Mita-Rentals in 2012.
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