The Cry of Independence: Last Days in San Cristóbal de las Casas

15/09/09-16/09/09

Having fallen in love with San Cristóbal and having already spent ten days here, we decided to extend our stay for just a couple of extra days to witness the Cry of Independence in our favourite Mexican city (granted, it's the first one we have visited, but I'm sure it will still be our favourite by the time we leave Mexico). The Cry of Independence is celebrated every year on the evening of the 15th September, and this year, 2009, the Mexican people are celebrating the 199th year of independence from Spain. At around 11pm we went to the main square in front of the town hall and joined the already huge crowd waiting for the special moment when the mayor would come out on to the balcony of the town hall and give the cry: Viva Hidalgo! Viva Moreles! Viva Chiapas! Viva Mexico! There were several other names mentioned as well, which I have since forgotten, but they all relate to men who were active in Mexico's strive for independence. At every cry of the mayor, we would shout back Viva! Vic was tempted to cry out "Long live Fernando VII" who was King of Spain at the time that Mexico was fighting for its independence, but I think my hesitance to join in made him decide against it. After all the shouting, there was lots of cheering and clapping, followed by a rendition of the national anthem and an amazing, albeit brief, firework display. The atmosphere was buzzing...it was so great to be a part of it! The army also play a big part in the proceedings, raising the flag of the town hall to full mast and providing musical interludes, and this year was particularly special, as it was the first time in fifteen years that the army has been able to join in the celebration. Until now, and ever since the Zapatista Revolution in 1994, the army have been unable to enter the state of Chiapas...we're yet to find out why!

The next day, celebrations continued with a military-civic parade around the centre of town. We watched for an hour as armed soldiers marched by on foot, and others passed by in army trucks or tanks equipped with huge guns. Following the soldiers were groups of students from the various educational institutions of San Cristóbal: school children in uniform, trainee chefs and nurses, also in uniform, they all took part, and luckily I had a good view for a change, as I managed to get up a bit higher than the majority of the crowd so I was snapping away for the duration and I also got a few videos too. I haven't checked them yet, but if there is a good one, I will upload it soon. I have a great one of the Cry of Independence, which I will definitely put on here as soon as I can!

Sadly, our time in this wonderful city has finally come to an end, and we will be heading next to Palenque, where we will see the first of many Maya ruins. How exciting :)