Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The police stopped the pickup as we entered Puebla. Live animals were not permitted
without a license. We were delayed about fifteen minutes while the police and Mary Car-
men talked and confirmed with authorities.
We drove to the heart of Puebla and parked between the plaza and the cathedral. The dan-
cers were happy to get out and change into costumes. The men in the pickup truck star-
ted building the stage-set house. The turkeys were picked up and caressed. The sheep was
coaxed from the pickup to the street.
The costumed dancers attracted a crowd. They performed twice, once in the main plaza,
then a block away at the Casa de Cultura. The house, with its thatched roof, was picked up
by the male dancers and carried the distance.
Then it was back on the bus and on the road to Zacatlán. I sat on the jump seat next to the
driver. I loved the panoramic view, looking out over the highway.
Back in Zacatlán, I freshened up and looked at the program. The inauguration was sched-
uled for 6 p.m., Fanaticos del Rock (Rock and Roll Fanatics) at 7 p.m. The coronation was
to begin at 8 p.m.; Susana Zavaleta at 9 p.m. Fireworks were set for 10 p.m.
Rocio, Zacatlán's Queen, was introduced and cheered. Dignitaries had their moment. I drif-
ted away from the speeches, but returned when I heard the band. It was rock and roll. I
knew the songs in English, but lyrics were in Spanish. “
Boney Maroney
” in Spanish be-
came as “skinny as a skelton.” “
Jailhouse Rock
” had my feet moving. “
Good Golly, Miss
Molly
,” “
Lucille
,” could things get better? The answer was "Yes!"
Forty beautiful women dressed in finery and wearing sashes lined up. Each was a queen
from her community, association, club or school. There were more queens in Zacatlán than
in European history.
The pageantry of the beauty queens was followed by the artistry of Susana Zavaleta, a
cabaret singer, comedienne, vamp and performer. She reminded me of Cher with her high
black leather boots, black shorts, open midriff, black leather halter, waist-length, black
straight hair, torch songs and risqué banter. She was confident, she teased the audience with
her quick wit. Then she sang and showed her vocal range. I kept wondering, "This is the
Apple Fair?"
