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They are called romerías or peregrinaciones, and the people who make them are usually called peregrinos. They are pilgrims coming to pay homage to Our Lady of the Rosary of Talpa, and they come by the thousands at this time of the year.
March 19th is celebrated as St. Joseph's Day, and as you may know, all these religious holidays are celebrated by nine days of mini-celebrations prior to the main day.
In the case of Talpa, this particular celebration begins on the first Sunday in March when the pilgrims from Tecoman, Colima walk in. Tecoman is roughly two hundred seventy highway miles from Talpa. People come in chartered buses, private automobiles, on horse-back and bikes, but the healthiest, and the most faithful come walking.
The walkers don't necessarily stick to the highways. Some follow the river up from the coast, and sleep on ranchers' verandas. A good walker can make it in three days from Puerto Vallarta, spending only two nights in the open. If a family with children makes the walk, count on three nights on ranches.
Back packs are filled with the minimum of items. Matches for building a fire, and warm blankets to huddle under are a must in March. Many folks pack their pockets with raisins and nuts to snack on for that extra boost of energy. Each walker has his own canteen. There are no hotels or restaurants along the river route, but many enterprising ranchers use this opportunity to make the extra peso or two. One can usually buy a hot bowl of soup before resting for the night and a hot cup of coffee, tortillas and beans send him off the next morning. For an extra peso, he can re-fill his canteen, if needed.This is not an easy stroll in the countryside. Mountains, huge boulders, rivers, sharp rocks, unfriendly dogs and bulls are a few of the obstacles one has to circumvent.
You must choose your walking shoes very carefully and preferably, several months before starting out on this trek in order to "break them in". Many of the walkers show up in the plaza with their shoes hanging around their necks.
The March Walk has become such a tradition that some local families will take the bus a few miles out of town, and walk back, in order to introduce their children to this ritual. Many fathers take their young sons further down the road to walk back, spending the night in the countryside.
These celebrations often seem more like a street fair than a religious festival. Booths are set up in late February, displaying everything from charcoal burners made from tin to sun lotion. Wide-brimmed hats and warm blankets are popular items.
Dancers dressed in ancient Indian garb dance down the streets to perform rituals in the plaza. Booming fireworks awaken you early in the morning for the first mass of the day. I've heard new-comers complain of this tradition, but look at the meaning of tradition. Locals claim the fireworks "scare the devils away" elbow, and open cooking fires line the river banks where many families prepare their meals.
T-shirts and walking sticks are hot items, images of The Virgin are printed on clothing, some shirts simply say, "I Walked to Talpa," others have maps of roads leading to Talpa printed on them.
Most folks buy a Talpa Walking Stick before they leave here. It is almost like a badge that they have made the pilgrimage. Why these sticks are called Talpa Walking Sticks, they are made from a stick of bamboo. The root end is trimmed to form a three-pronged handle, which fits the hand very comfortably. If the bamboo is cut young, the handle fits a young child's hand; left to grow, it will fit a big man's hand. Some people call them burros, and I guess if you have an active imagination, you could see that they resemble a donkey.
Don Julio Alvarez has been making the walk from Tecoman for the past thirty-two years. He declares he used to walk it in six days when he was a younger man. Now he leaves Tecoman mid-February in order to be in Talpa by March 19.
Over the years, Don Julio has made friends on ranches and in pueblos, and he stops for a few days rest in each place. He probably could have his chauffeured limousine bring him to Talpa, but he walks.
We will visit Talpa on March 15th to give you the opportunity to see the incredible faith the Latin people have and demonstrate...it is a very touching experience.
You'll also get to see all the different vendors displaying their goods on the streets and hear the Mariachis playing in the plaza and serenading the Virgin in the church.
You won't want to miss this very special tribute to San Joseph and the "Virgin of the Rosario" Talpa.
MASCOTA/TALPA
Mar 15, 2008 $650 pesos ($65usd) per person
Trips to Mascota/Talpa will depart from Mega super market south side street (2 blocks north of Sheraton)
at 7:00am, arriving in Mascota approximately 9:00-9:30am for a fantastic Breakfast Buffet, followed by a short walking tour. Mascota is a traditional "OLD MEXICO" town with colonial haciendas, cobbled streets and a central plaza. Mascota is also known for their fabulous cheese and honey.
Departing to Talpa about 11:30am arriving approximately 12:30pm we'll visit the church to see the Virgin "Rosario of Talpa", a small statue that is said to have healing powers. We'll also visit the Museum of the "Rosario of Talpa", see how the famous candy Guava Roll is made, plus craft articles made out of chewing gum. This is not sweet gum, it is derived from the Chitle (now you know where the word "Chiclets come from) tree which grows locally.
You'll walk the plaza, do some shopping, (don’t forget to buy fantastic coffee), have a late lunch or early dinner (not included in the trip price). .
We'll depart back to Puerto Vallarta 4:00 arriving Vallarta approximately 7:00pm. Don’t miss this fabulous fun day trip, includes breakfast, bus transportation and tours. Wear comfortable shoes and proper attire to visit a church (no shorts or tank tops, pls.) Light sweater or jacket advised for bus trip.
For reservations & Information: Roberta Valdez (322) 293 7534 robertamakeawish@aol.com Make-A-Wish® Mexico Office: San Salvador 337-A (upstairs, between Brasil & Bolivia) Col.5 De Diciembre, Puerto Vallarta, Jal. Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:00pm (for payment )
Tours provided by Alegre-Events/Roberta Valdez
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