By Helene, Mexico. A little detour from pantyhose for the sake of the love of culture and festivals. This event happened on July 15th, meaning last weekend.

Can heavy rain can be an obstacle for a holiday, even the most waited for?

This Saturday we went out to catch the last calenda of Guelaguetza – an amazing procession of representatives from all corners of Oaxaca, a state in the very heart of Mexico.

This was an unforgettable plunge into centuries ago, when people believed that each stone is alive. It’s like having a flash back to the times when indigenous tribes were the masters of their lands, the times of great civilizations which are believed to have vanished.

Though, here, in the heart of Mexico, old traditions are kept even in everyday life, and during Guelaguetza they come alive like hundreds of years ago.

Wearing gold? Why not, as gold was as common as dirt at the festival.

These are our local bread-makers. We can find their bread in markets and specialized shops.

Are you from far mountains? Welcome here to dance!

Rain? You have already forgotten about it, and some mezcal in an improvised chili-glass that dancers are giving to anybody willing to try will make you want to dance as well. Just take off your modern shoes and put on the hand-made sandals that dancers are wearing. Now you are one of them, those indigenous who came to visit their successors. Take a ripe pineapple and dance with the girls from Pineapple valley. Or do you prefer the bright colours of Villa de Zaachillla?

Dancers representing Villa de Zaachillla region in bright costumes.

But all ends sooner or later. The calenda is over, the dancers went to have rest before tomorrow`s performance – the last day of Guelaguetza.

I returned home and changed out of my soaked clothing and shoes into a slim black dress, a pair of ultra sheer tights, and my favourite high heel sandals. Inspired by all that I saw, I decided to go out for…

Guess what for?

Have you ever tried grasshoppers? Fried, with chili, this time they were served with pasta and cheese and were not so grasshoppish. And well, that was OK, even very fine. Ok, OK, just for a change…

Plum jam with chili.

The plums were delicious! I got it in a small plastic bag – just caught it during the procession, as the dancers were throwing in crowd all that they make or grow. Thus I came home with a bag full of home-made bread, a sombrero, and many little things of I-don’t-know-what, like these plums (if those were indeed plums).

I am already looking for the next Guelaguetza, even though this one has finished just today, several hours ago. Moreover, am sure that I will come to visit it wherever in the world I am. Just to plunge once more in childhood where we were watching films about ancient civilizations and dreaming of visiting those times and places. Here, in Oaxaca, it became my reality.