Monthly Archives: October 2007

No I didn’t make it to the full moon reggae party at the Sandbar, but I heard the place was hopping. Music started around 10 pm and lasted until 1 am. The joint was full. People were partying everywhere, inside, outside, front and back. Sad I missed it. But the good news is that the Sandbar will be having reggae every Friday night. I think I will have to rearrange my schedule.

Just like Alice, the faster I go the further behind I get. We are into production of the next issue of El Calendario, so blog time will be limited. I’ll do my best.

You all know Brad. He was the energy behind Santanas Restaurant and the Baja Reggae Festival. Well he’s back in action. This friday, October 26, he is putting on a full moon reggae party at the Sandbar with Acero Caliente supplying the reggae. Sadly, I will be unable to attend. And then on October 31, he will have a “pimp n ho” Halloween costume party at the Sandbar. Just be careful driving back to your homes, especially after downing a few drinks. The road from Pescadero to Todos Santos can be quite dangerous at times.

Here are a few photos to give a small taste for the feel of the parade. Remember, most of the town partied very late the night before.

Finally catching up to “el grito” – this is the celebration commemorating Padre Miguel Hidalgo’s call for revolution in 1810. Over a decade later, Mexico achieved independence from Spain. For more on “el grito” see Wikipedia’s “Grito de Dolores” link. In Todos Santos, there is a large gathering in the town square. First some entertainment, usually music. Then the mayor rings the bell and yells “el grito” while fireworks are set off. After things settle back down, a dance band performs and townspeople dance until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, school kid’s march in a parade from the cultural center to the baseball stadium. This parade isn’t nearly as ornate as the November 20th one, but it’s still fun to watch. Only problem is the parade is early the next morning around 9 am. If you played hard the night before in the zocalo, it’s not so easy to be on time.

Viva México!

Last year’s queen and this year’s candidates.

Pre-grito entertainment. Local singers backed by Mariachis from La Paz.

Our own, Heriberto Parra Hake. Nice outfit!

More local singing talent.

The honor guard to present the flag before the acutal grito.

El grito!

Our new queen!

Want to know a secret?

How about some foam to throw on that photographer?

And the band played on and on and on.

Lots of smiling faces on the beaches this weekend. Even with the threat of a tropical storm to the south, we were the grateful recipients of a northwest swell with some power. Lots of waves for everyone. I made it to the beach today, Sunday, but missed yesterday. I hear that yesterday was smaller but better surf. Last year was not a good year for surf around Todos Santos. The first decent northwest swell didn’t arrive until early December. This could be a good omen. Let’s hope so.

That’s Diego trying to work out the rust and good summer eating.

Mario’s looking good but he did not get the barrel.

I don’t know this fellow but he made the only barrel while I was there.

Pretty sure that’s Carsten. I know he was in the water.

Diego again. He’s so good he’s in lots of photos.

Ahhhhhhh!

Oscar going left. The waves were peaky with plenty of chances to go in both directions.

That would be Carsten again.

Ninja Keenan!

Diego carving with a big smile.