A Really Big Show!
By Becky from Life's a Beach Blog
It all started when Craig and I noticed these posters cropping up all
over the island on utility poles. Los Enanitos Toreros de Mexico.
Before long, a large group of us had plans to meet at the Plaza de Toros
on Tuesday afternoon to see the bullfighters of small stature. After
all, how many times would we have the opportunity to view an event like
that!
We decided we'd better go early to get the best seats in the house. If the event started at 3:30, we'd all meet around 3:00 p.m. Tee hee. Seriously, what were we thinking!
While waiting in La Gloria to catch a cab to Plaza de Toros, this man came barreling down the road on his horse headed north. Little did we know he was galloping into El Centro for a parade that probably started at 3:30 p.m.
After arriving at the bullring south of Villa la Bella on the Caribe side, we soon figured out the bullfight would not be starting anytime soon. Tickets weren't being sold yet!
A few cans of beer almost always call for a trip to the bano. Hmmmmm. Note to self: Check for banos before consuming copious cans of beer!
Finally somewhere around 5:00 p.m., the stands started to fill with people from all over the island, including quite a few we knew! Hi Tiff!
Vendors traipsed the rickety corrugated metal stands peddling everything from nuts to popcorn. Here's a rack with donuts. (Okay, that was bad!)
Craig and I disagree on the time the event finally started, but it was post sunset. Finally, men on horseback, including the mayors of Cancun and Isla Mujeres, rode into the ring and circled. As always, political speeches ensued and went on for quite awhile. Love the lone female's getup!
We decided we'd better go early to get the best seats in the house. If the event started at 3:30, we'd all meet around 3:00 p.m. Tee hee. Seriously, what were we thinking!
While waiting in La Gloria to catch a cab to Plaza de Toros, this man came barreling down the road on his horse headed north. Little did we know he was galloping into El Centro for a parade that probably started at 3:30 p.m.
After arriving at the bullring south of Villa la Bella on the Caribe side, we soon figured out the bullfight would not be starting anytime soon. Tickets weren't being sold yet!
Sometime around 4:00 p.m., the van with Los Enanitos Toreros arrived.
Next came the bulls of small stature. Meanwhile, we were still sitting
at tables drinking Sol and Coca Cola, waiting to buy tickets.
A few cans of beer almost always call for a trip to the bano. Hmmmmm. Note to self: Check for banos before consuming copious cans of beer!
Finally somewhere around 5:00 p.m., the stands started to fill with people from all over the island, including quite a few we knew! Hi Tiff!
Vendors traipsed the rickety corrugated metal stands peddling everything from nuts to popcorn. Here's a rack with donuts. (Okay, that was bad!)
The comic matadors waited outside, posing for photos with fans.
Sunset came and went while we waited. Brrrrrr. I could have used a stadium blanket!
Fans continued to file past us into the stands, many dressed in cowboy hats and warm sweaters.
We bought more snacks and waited. Even cotton candy man was making the rounds!
Craig and I disagree on the time the event finally started, but it was post sunset. Finally, men on horseback, including the mayors of Cancun and Isla Mujeres, rode into the ring and circled. As always, political speeches ensued and went on for quite awhile. Love the lone female's getup!
As always, we got the rear view. Finally, almost three hours after the
time on the posters, the main act, Los Enanitos de Toreros, entered the
ring. Here's a short film clip that sums it all up!
Link to video
Link to video
We didn't stay for the entire show because frankly, we had to pee! But we did out last, out survive all our friends!
A weird time was had by all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulls - one, Little People - zero!
By Lynda Lock from Notes From Paradise blog
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| Waiting for the parade to start |
The much advertised bullfight featuring little people and young bulls was apparently a fun filled event. It was held at the temporary arena, recently installed on the Caribbean side of the island, just past Villa la Bella. I was too chicken to attend, in case the bulls got the worst of the event. However, judging by Life With Beck's video - it was hilarious. Some
of the matadors were dressed in devil's costumes, others were dressed
in ballerina tutus, and still others wore padded horse costumes covering
up their vital parts. The young bulls were teased into butting the matador over. It looks as if the bulls were the victors in this fight.
The Matador, Osvaldo Hernandez, is a member of Los Enanitos Toreros. They are a group of comedians from the Yucatan that travel to various cities and locations to demonstrate their skills. (Photo credit Mirror News UK)
In the week leading up to the bull fight numerous posters appeared on the island advertising the event to start at 3:30 p.m. We
had a great giggle over that bit of information as we watched the group
of horsemen, and horsewomen assembling behind the Naval base around 3:30 in the afternoon for the parade to the arena. Eventually
the dignitaries arrived, and the group did a hoof-clattering circuit of
the 'Centro' and then paraded past our house around sunset,
approximately two hours later than advertised. But, it's the norm. Everyone is so accustomed to events starting late, it becomes a self-perpetuating situation. The participants don't arrive on time, because, well the event will not start on time. And the event will not start on time, because, ah yes, the participants are late.
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| Anyone seen Clint Eastwood pass by?? |
As
the group of riders paraded past our house, we could almost imagine
them riding the dusty, cactus-strewn plains in central Mexico. The
traditional clothing, and the accompanying bull fight music featuring
brass horns created an atmosphere reminiscent of an old high-plains
cowboy movie.
Hugo
Sanchez Presidente (Mayor) of Isla Mujeres, and Julian Rincalde
Presidente of the Benito Juarez district on the mainland, led the
parade. Senor Rincalde was riding the handsome black stallion shown in my photos. The
horse was decked out in a hand tooled silver and black saddle that
could have been an antique Charro saddle, but judging by the size of the
stallion, it might have been custom made just for him.
He was a handsome brute! (The horse, I mean!)
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| Damn, I'm handsome! |
When taking photos of the group I carefully made sure I was well outside the range limit of any hind leg. I saw a number of hooves flash out in annoyance as the horses waited for the parade to begin. Having
once been kicked in the shin by a horse when I got too close, I have
the utmost respect for the pain that a well placed hoof can cause. I still have a slight dint in my left shin bone, dating back to 1969.
Next
time this group comes to the island - we'll be in the grandstands, not
too early though as they probably won't start until sundown no matter
what the posters say.
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| President Rincalde background, and Presidente Sanchez in middle |
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