Mexico & Beyond

Arriving just before dawn we joined a line of intrepid Mexicans and trekked across recently plowed and dusty farmland toward the bright lights that signaled we had arrived at the launch site. Signage was missing but there were hundreds of various kinds of police and staff that helped us find our way into the the festival grounds. Men and women were separated into two lines and the men were searched for knives that might be used to maliciously puncture balloons, and the fresh croissants I was carrying were confiscated, no food from outside allowed. Roughly 45 deflated balloons from Mexico, the U.S. and other countries were laid out for inflation.

This was one of the first that was ready to go.

Snoopy was right behind.

Amazingly, the rapidly increasing crowd, including small children, was allowed to wander everywhere as dozens of heaters were fired up and inflating balloons nudged each other – and onlookers – out of the way.

Snoopy rising.

Our village of Ajijic is in the state of Jalisco.

Sponge Bob Squarepants, one of the largest entries, took a very long time to inflate.

Some balloons appeared to be offering rides.

This chicken appears to be laying a rectangular egg.

Not all of the captivating sights were above us.

Apparently hungry, Snoopy drifts over, and down, to what may be a food tent.

While the chicken eyes a possible breakfast in the basket.

Sponge Bob seems to be delighted to be aloft at last.

Pooh hugs elephant as they struggle to stay aloft. Some of the balloons came dangerously close to electrical wires on the highway.

After all the balloons were aloft, we stumbled across the plowed fields with our friends, Deidre & Michael Searles (who thankfully got us to arise at 5:00 a.m. and drove us to the fiesta) and went to Costco where I fantasized about buying this scooter.