fiesta of dying waters

And if, tomorrow, it ends
I won't have wasted today --

I will have lived like I am dying.

The lyrics are Don Black and Charles Hart's -- not mine -- from Aspects of Love.


But they could easily pass as an anthem for my Mexican neighbors.


On Sunday we celebrated the lingering death of Villa Obregon's most important resident -- our laguna.  It was a fundraiser to help save and preserve the body of water that gives this village its character -- far more than the showy and unfriendly sea.


"Celebrate" may not seem like the appropriate word for a vigil -- and vigil it is.  But this is Mexico where some of the most dreadful events -- historical and personal -- are greeted with dance, music, and hearty calls of salud!


That was Sunday's recipe, as well.  Tragedy and festivity in equal measures.


There is plenty of time to sit upon the ground and tell tales -- not of dead kings -- but of dying waters.  I need to do some research to be certain of facts.  The life of the laguna is festooned with enough myth to constitute another chapter of Beowulf.


Today we will talk of festivity.


Irma, my neighbor several houses down, runs what we NOBers might think is a hacienda.  It isn't.  But it is a very grand piece of property facing the laguna with a large home and five bungalow units -- known as Villa Xochipilli.


She also chairs the local group fighting to save the laguna.  So, her home was a natural site for a fiesta called Dia Mexicana.


The idea was to combine the best of Mexican local culture with the artistic work of two expatriate photographers known for their wildlife work.  The goal?  To raise consciousness about the plight of the laguna.


All of the elements were there.


Mariachi.

Folk dancing.

And a local girl who has made it big as a singer and entertainer: Angelina Sol.

But that was not all.  We were also treated to a buffet of local specialties.  Mostly goat.  And all parts from the head to the stomach.  I wish I had taken some photographs, but my stomach took control over my head.


However, there were photographs.  Nature photographs.  Of the amazing wildlife in the laguna -- when it is healthy.  From the cameras of two expatriates: Melanie Hester and a long-time friend of this blog (and blogger): Howard Platt.


Any of those elements alone would have made a good party.  Together, they created one of the best days I have had in Melaque.


For many reasons.


The only question now is whether the laguna can celebrate along with us.