MAW Trip to Talpa's Fiesta of Candles
 Roberta Valdez - PVNN
| | For more information or to make your reservations, contact Roberta Valdez at (322) 293-7534, 293-7369 or rvaldez714(at)hotmail.com. | |
One of the most significant festivals in Talpa de Allende each year is the Fiesta de la Candelaria, which takes place from January 25 through February 2.
February 2nd falls forty days after Christmas, and is celebrated by Catholics as the "Feast of Purification" or as the "Presentation of Christ at the Temple and blessing of the seeds and candles. Día de la Candelaria is a follow-up to the festivities of Three King's Day on January 6th, when children receive gifts and families and friends break bread together, specifically Rosca de Reyes, a special sweet bread with figurines hidden inside. The people who received the figurines on Kings Day are supposed to host the party on Candlemas Day February 02 with the traditional meal of tamales.
These popular religious festivals include fireworks, mariachis and parades in addition to Mass and other forms of religious devotion, making this an experience you can't miss, an experience you'll never forget.
On February 2, 2009, Alegre-Events/Roberta Valdez will be offering a special one day (7 am to 7 pm) trip from Puerto Vallarta to Talpa that gives everyone the opportunity to witness the traditional Fiesta de la Candelaria celebration.
About Talpa de Allende
In Talpa, there are 3 pilgrimages a year to see the Virgin "Rosario of Talpa", a small statue that is said to have healing powers. On these occasions, the town's population triples.
At over 4,000 feet the climate is wonderful, and the town, which is scrupulously clean, has several hotels and restaurants. Many stores sell the famous Guava Roll and tiny articles, like sombreros and sandals made out of chewing gum. This is not sweet gum, it is derived from the Chitle tree which grows locally. Now you know where the word Chiclets comes from.
The Virgin of Talpa Basilica, the Christian shrine at Talpa de Allende dedicated to a manifestation of the Virgin Mary, is of a type of shrine called "miracle-causing." Millions of Christian pilgrims have come here to pray for such things as a cure from disease, a loving mate, a healthy child, or simply good grades on an academic examination. And many of these prayers have been answered. So many, in fact, that the image of the Virgin has attained the legendary status of being a miracle-causing statue.
We will visit the cathedral Talpa's excellent, church-funded museum. Two floors of expertly prepared displays begin with the basics, illustrating—from a strictly Catholic point of view—the miracles and religious significance of the Virgin Mary, continuing with the three "sister" Virgins of Mexico, and description and documentation of a number of latter-day apparitions of the Virgin of Talpa. Upstairs, cases of the Virgin’s gilded vestments and other devotional objects decorate the museum’s airy atrium.
The museum of our Lady of the Rosary in Talpa contains religious art. The museum has two rooms of exhibition; one of them is a big salon where they present movies related to people pilgrimages, the virgin, etc.; and the other room shows pieces like: sculptures, clothing, priest’s robes and sacred objects that have artistic and historical value. We will be doing a short tour of this extraordinary museum.
In Talpa stores sell sugared fruits and other edible souvenirs, like flowers, small baskets, sombreros and sandals made out of chicle, the basis of chewing gum. Coffee is one of the best you can buy so make sure you take some home.
Mascota
On the way to Talpa, a short stop will be made in Mascota, known as the jewel of the Sierra Madre. A traditional "Old Mexico" town, Mascota (pop. 8000) is graced with colonial haciendas, cobbled streets and a central plaza. Here you will find the majestic town church, dedicated to the Virgin de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), which was completed in 1880 and took over 100 years to construct.
While in Mascota, we will be having breakfast buffet on the patio of the romantic Meson de Santa Elena. It's hard to believe you are in a bed and breakfast hotel instead of a private guest at a 18th century hacienda. If rooms are available you may take at look at them. Following breakfast (tip not included) we will take a short walking tour to the plaza, churches, and museum. If you would like to pass on the walking tour, you may stay at the Meson or sit in the plaza until we depart for Talpa.
The price of this special all-day tour is just $750 per person with all proceeds benefitting Make a Wish Mexico.
For more information or to make your reservations, contact Roberta Valdez at (322) 293-7534, 293-7369 or rvaldez714(at)hotmail.com. Payments may be made Mon-Fri 9:30 am-4:30 pm at the Make-A-Wish México Office, San Salvador 337-A (upstairs, between Brasil & Bolivia), Col. 5 de Diciembre in Puerto Vallarta, or by calling (322) 222-9112. |
Vallarta Weddings
Vallarta Living | January 2009 
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