This weekend Mexico (and most of the countries south of here) celebrated independence from Spain. Mexico's independence process was quite different from what happened in the U.S., with independence not coming as a result of a decisive series of battles, but rather over the span of 11 years, from 1810 to 1821. After their independence from Spain, the once again fell under foreign domination, briefly to their growing neighbor to the north (Texas Succession, Mexican War from 1845-88), then later to Maximilian and the French. Cinco de Mayo, a day probably celebrated more in the U.S. than in Mexico now, had nothing to do with Mexico's independence from Spain, but rather one of the battles that ended with the execution of Maximilian and the expulsion of the French.
But who really cares about history when there's a partying going on! Mexicans love to party, and Independence Day is one of their biggest national parties! Today, the street outside our house was white with spent fire crackers that the neighbor kids have been setting off. We celebrated as a church on Saturday with games, food and music. And a piñata of course. Great time! Mayra and I dug our our Mexican duds and went to the party!
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