MAYO DANCERS AND SAN JUAN BLESS ALAMOS WITH FIVE STORMS

  I had the opportunity to go to a neighborhood velacion for the day of San Juan Bautista. I attended with some hesitation, not knowing what to expect, with my friend Francoise. We were greeted with "pasa le" and  walked up the road to the yard decorated with pretty paper streamers and big red paper roses, red being the color of San Juan. There was a live band and a choice of pozole or menudo. The people in this area don't bother with much small talk, they just enjoy the moment....being with friends and family.
 It was a special night, one in which the Mayo culture combined with Catholic customs were praying for rain, as the day of San Juan represents the beginning of monsoon season.