Tanhuato, The Town

Religion is a very important part of Mexican culture. Even is small towns like Tanhuato it seems that church is priority #1. The scale and beauty of the temple in the center of the town rivals that of a church like Saint Anthony's in downtown Long Beach.
There was a large-scale nativity display at the front of the temple when we went to visit.

There is a famous statue of Jesus on the cross at the front of the altar known as Santo Christo Milagroso. "The Miraculous Christ." The statue is small yet very detailed. It is adorned with real human hair and antique garments.
There is a full-size display of Jesus' burial chamber. Although is is difficult to see the Jesus statue lying down it is very detailed and borderline macabre.

I think that Mexico has an unhealthy fascination with the suffering of Jesus and the various altars and temples throughout do their best to celebrate both the Virgin Mary and juxtapose her with a suffering Jesus.

"Offrendas" are near the altar. These are small notes, tokens and reminders for prayer for the sick or dead. For example, people place small golden feet on the offrenda to pray for a successful leg surgery.
Uncle Manuel (not my dad's brother), the husband of Marta offered to show us some of the campo. The trail was hard but he drove his truck with much patience. On the side of the road we spotted a horse tied to a tree.
There are a few trails leading around the various family farms and campos. Much of Tanhuato and the surrounding communities are nothing but open space for miles and miles. Very serene.
Manuel has a couple of plots of land. He grew chilis on this plot, it overlooks Laguna Monda. The lagoon is a mis-named massive lake. When Manuel registered his land with the state he wrote down Laguna Honda (deep lake), but the registrar misread it and now the lake is called Monda. It is still one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen.
It was good seeing the cousins that I had only heard about. As you can guess a few weren't even born the last time I visited Tanhuato.
We celebrated Christmas at the house of Tio Manuel and tia Marta. Family is a big priority in town and fireworks are heard every night during the holidays.
We have to visit more often. 17 years between trips is too long. We have to see our family more often and of course visit the taco stands a whole lot more.

by Noe Valladolid