View From Casita Colibrí

On this day honoring one of the most revered icons of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe…

The city of Oaxaca’s children are dressed as little Juan Diegos and their peasant sisters.

They are brought to the Templo de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at the north end of Llano Park.

Here they and their parents wait patiently in a line that rings the church.

They are waiting to enter (via the door with a large banner marked, “entrada”) the church and be blessed.

Once they exit (via the door marked “salida”), there are photographers waiting, with burros and panoramic scenes, to take commemorative photographs — for a fee.

The sun is hot, the lines are long, and sometimes it’s long past nap time.  By the way, there is also a carnival (with rides and games) and puestos upon puestos of food; the religious and secular meet.