#63 / 2008 Tour 4 Winter: Mariachi Conference

Mariachi Conference

#63

After we moved into the van and out of our little “casita” we relocated to the campus of New Mexico State University. Joe volunteered to work the Fifteenth Annual International Mariachi Conference. He was thrilled to be back on at his alma mater and spent hours in the libraries. 

We followed election returns along with students at Pete’s Cyber Cafe. After eight long years my faith in America is finally restored, my patriotism has been rekindled, and we set off happy to be Americans and optimistic for our collective futures.

On Sunday we attended a Mariachi Mass. About 7,000 filed into the Pan American Center greeted at the entrance with a troupe of twenty or more dancers dressed in huge feather headdresses and costumes that appeared to be Aztec, but I’m not sure. Their ankles were covered with rattling nut shells. The mass honored all the 15-year-olds, quincieneras and quincieneros who were born the year the conference began.

      

On stage Mariachi Cobre of Epcot Center and Mariachi Real de Chihuahua performed before a mass administered by  the Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, the Bishop of Las Cruces. Tears were streaming down my cheeks as a choir sang "Ava Maria." Young girls were dressed in beautiful white dresses and veils. Female dancers were enveloped in colorful ruffled skirts; men wore sashes and conquistador-like hats with blue feathers. It was a fitting exit from Las Cruces, we felt blessed, humbled, and happy as we finally left town.