Lea Dances for the Mexican Revolution!

Lea was selected from her school to participate in a community-wide presentation in recognition of the Mexican Revolution. She was thrilled to have the opportunity and we are beyond proud of her! Lea practiced for weeks with her schoolmates before the big event which took place on November 20. It was the week of Thanksgiving in the US. Who would have guessed that instead, we'd be celebrating the Mexican Revolution? There was a lot of preparation ahead of time in terms of getting her "costume" together and preparing for the big day, which included our close friend Aurora putting Lea's hair up in tight french braids with special ribbons.

Many schools in the area gathered at the largest primary school in the center of the village for the dances in an outdoor courtyard. Before the start of the dances, all the children gathered together and stood with their schoolmates, while the mayor and others spoke about the Mexican Revolution and what it means for the Mexican people. There were even horses who walked in the courtyard to start the festivities! Many of the others school's dances were before Lea's, so we anxiously awaited her debut in a large, public Mexican festivity. Below is a short video of the dance and some photos to go along with it. How exciting it was for her to be a part of something like this here in Tepoztlán, Mexico.


Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnAY992DzMo&feature=youtu.be&t=28s

Aurora does Lea's french braid.

Here she is in her costume.

At Lea's school the morning of the festivities. They usually do this march on Monday mornings at the beginning of the school day, but the march took place on this morning too.

Lea with some of her classmates at her school (and her teacher behind her) the morning of the big event. Only one other girl pictured (Abi) was also in the dance (to the right).

Lea was so happy and excited to be selected for the dance!

All the kids gathered together at the school to take a photo before walking down to the center of town where the dance took place.

The horses that started the festivities mentioned above.

Many of the kids have their eyes closed for the photo because they were facing the strong sun. Lea was still smiling :-)

This gives you a sense of the number of people at the event even though it was another group dancing.

Lea's school's dance. You can barely make her out crouched in the front on the right hand side.

What a fabulous experience for Lea, and for us too!