Fiesta and Fireworks, a match made in heaven.

 Ten Days of Fireworks each night.

This is just a tiny sample of it.  I'll post a massive firework show at the end.

Parades & Fiesta to honor Mexico and Saint Andrew - A 10 Day Party!

Day 1, a Parade

2b, or not to bee?

Just two blocks up is a row of Cactus, 

blooming and attracting honey bees.

Yesterday I found a lone pod resting on a Cactus and picked it up to study it...   I tenderly picked it up with thumb and forefinger.  Then spent the next 5 hours trying to get the tiny little "F-ing" spines out of my fingers!

["Prickly pear fruit, also known as tuna in Spanish, is the edible fruit of the Opuntia cactus, which is native to the Americas and grows in arid regions. It is a berry that can be red, yellow, or green, with a sweet flavor similar to watermelon or kiwi. To prepare it, you must first safely remove the tiny spines and glochids before peeling the outer skin to eat the juicy, seedy flesh inside."]    **Oh, NOW you tell me!**

I immediately dropped the little finger bomb and started trying to pick the barbs out.  THIS caused the barb spines to stick in those other fingers.  After about 3 minutes, I had spines stuck in 5 fingers.  I finally dug out my pocket knife and used it to drag the blade across the "effected areas" pulling out the stickers.  It was a good 5 hours before the stinging stopped.  I learned a lesson.  One that I should have already known!  Duhhh.

-The Arkansas Traveler Skip

A gathering for Mexican Culture

 Masks, Music, and Dancers

MUSIC

FOOD & DRINK

Tacos

Tequila Shots

Dancers

Before the Dancers could start, this little man had to explain in great laborious detail (in Spanish) and then have it repeated in English by the MC.  This little intro lasted about an hour and best I can recall... He said, "Good conquers evil. The masks represent evil. The Mexicans battle the Spanish and it's a violent dance."  He asked for donations (or the MC added it?) to help support of local music and culture.  Next a bunch of kids danced around for awhile.  THEN the masked dancers marched out and the violence started.  The dancers dressed like Mexicans had 4 foot long heavy switches and they proceeded to slap the shit out of the masked dancers.  Lots and lots of jumping, running, and the very loud crack of the whips hitting the masked dancers... till they all fell dead.  The End.