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Post by lola on Feb 16, 2016 11:46:32 GMT
Tackling in futbol is a lot better, usually, than in US style. That just means taking the ball away with your feet, cutely done here:
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 16, 2016 16:07:40 GMT
Dang ~ who knew?! That is so nimble and seemingly impossible.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 2, 2017 22:22:58 GMT
So here we are on the eighth anniversary of Anyport, which is also Candlemas/ Candelaria in the ecclesiastical calendar. Incidentally, when I looked that up to link it here, I also found this, useful for all those people who throng Paris in search of Mexican food. I've been sick the last couple of days, but got up this morning determined to do right by all the dressed saint aficionados out there. Accordingly, I headed over to my local market, which has a Candelaria Mass every year. These pictures were taken as people were bringing their Niños and the altar was being set up. Don't worry ~ I returned later to get more photos during Mass. As every year, the Mass will be said beneath this permanent shrine ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 2, 2017 22:33:33 GMT
I'm going to buy a few things & do a circuit of the market in hope of Niño sightings. First, a quick stop to say hi to my nice pork lady ~ The seamstress has not yet taken her little Jesus over to the altar ~ A nice Niño high on a shelf over the cooked innards stand ~ I have to buy eggs ~ Another stand, another baby Jesus ~ The blessing of the meat ~ The blessing of the lard ~ A quick glance at the people setting up the altar and doing detail work, and I'm off to home for lunch. I'll return for the Mass ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 2, 2017 22:44:47 GMT
I'm back again and Mass is in progress. It's standing room only, and I discreetly go around the crowd, lurking at the edges & using the zoom ~
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Post by bjd on Feb 3, 2017 6:03:02 GMT
Bixa -- given the dedication with which you attend so many religious ceremonies, visit so many churches and take so many pictures of Jesus dolls, you should never be sick!
Here, la Chandeleur is "celebrated" by people making/eating crepes. I actually learned a new recipe yesterday, totally by accident. When you finish preparing the batter, you pour in melted butter. You then don't need to grease the pan when you make the crepes. I will try it next time I make some.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 6:56:24 GMT
This is all the more fascinating to me now that I have actually been to that market. I remain flabbergasted at the number of religious events in Mexico. It makes me think that every Mexican dwelling must have a storeroom devoted exclusively to all of the religious supplies -- clothes, skeletons, dolls, crucifixes, etc.
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Post by bjd on Feb 3, 2017 7:22:29 GMT
And can you imagine the constant assault on the senses of the non-religious?
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 4, 2017 15:28:13 GMT
Hee hee, Bjd ~ I suspect the dolls know I don't have the right attitude. I had to think back a long ways to the last time I made crepes or blintzes, but I thought I remembered putting butter in the batter. At any rate, here is the Martha Stewart method which, according to her fans' comments, are nothing short of miraculous: www.marthastewart.com/335089/simple-crepes Do ask yourself, though, would you prefer crepe making or doll dressing as a way to celebrate this occasion. Kerouac, many items are kept out all year round. I remember being in a woman's cramped kitchen where some of the inadequate counter space was taken up by at least three Niño Dioses. Surely from your early years you must remember that even in US Catholic homes, crucifixes are on display all year. As for other holiday paraphernalia, in an attic-free and closet-challenged country, I don't know where they stash that stuff when not in use. Bjd, after a while it all just sort of washes over you.
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Post by whatagain on Feb 4, 2017 16:20:38 GMT
Must say that even I had problem throwong away the crucifix in a house we bought. Seemed that if somebody had put it there, well, it belongef there. I'm always somehow envious of people attending mass. They share something with their neighbours and get consolation from their faith. Both things denied to me. But I get solace from friendship.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 16:26:01 GMT
The latest statistics in France say that a grand total of 1.5% of Catholics attend mass every Sunday (if possible). 8% say they go every now and then.
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Post by lugg on Feb 4, 2017 18:39:08 GMT
When I first read this I thought I had somehow missed Pancake Day ( Shrove Tuesday) but now understand that Candaleria / Candlemas is something completely different. As I am not a catholic I am not sure if it's celebrated in England but I think not Thank you Bixa for the up date and your photos are as fab as ever.
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Post by nycgirl on Feb 5, 2017 15:39:19 GMT
While I find the dolls a bit creepy, I do appreciate the skill and care that goes into making the ornate clothing. The seamstresses must be proud of their work.
By the way, Happy Anniversary, Anyport!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 5, 2017 18:42:53 GMT
Beautiful images Bixa...I must say that altho I haven't got a religious bone in my body I have a fascination with the festivals, rituals and beliefs of those who do. I find it especially interesting where people live their day to day lives immersed in their beliefs. A few years ago we stayed with a Catholic family for a week (distant relatives), their unfussy yet committed involvement with their church and the church community was completely natural.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 7, 2017 23:04:20 GMT
Since I was raised in a religion, I understand much of the meaning behind what's taught in that religion and can even appreciate the spirituality in some of the teaching. The ritual and most of the belief leave me completely cold, however. The only time I can say along with Whatagain that I'm envious, if that's even the right word, of someones belief is when that person has suffered a great loss and his/her belief is a help in enduring it. Those are teensy statistics, Kerouac! Thank you, Lugg. I guess you have to be shriven to get those Shrove Tuesday pancakes . You only have 21 days to wait! Your pancake confusion is similar to my longtime confusion over Candlemas. I well remember the blessing of the candles on St. Blaise's day on Feb. 3, so thought that was Candlemas. Thanks, NYCGirl! I don't find the babies creepy, but not imbued with spiritual feeling, either. Dressing them is a big deal here, both as a regular business and as a cottage industry. Thanks so much, Cheery! I guess that's the kind of Catholic my family was/is. My decidedly un-Catholic husband once pointed out to me that in my grandmother's house, every single door had a crucifix over it. So?, I said. Really, until that moment it had never seemed out of the ordinary to me.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2017 23:35:31 GMT
Those are teensy statistics, Kerouac! Apparently, France is the second least religious country in the world after Czechia (as we are supposed to call that place now).
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