The Catholic mass is enlivened with mariachi music. Kathy liked the upbeat happy music. The place was packed. At one point everyone in the rows held hands,
even across the aisles, and we sang and rocked to the music. At the end of the service everyone celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries was invited to the front. A couple celebrating their anniversary danced to a mariachi waltz.A chapel on the south side of the church has been set up for the Day of the Dead celebrations. On and around the alter people put pictures of dead relatives and stuff they liked: lots of favorite toys for children and soft drinks for adults. Other symbols include skulls with people names on them and hanging colorful paper cutout with symbolic designs.
After the service the mariachi band entertained worshipers in front of the church convent.
Kathy and Chris took a tour of the mission.
It is walled with gun ports covering the gates. The mission was established to Christianize and civilize (i.e., turn them into tax-paying Spaniards) the Coahuiltecan Indians. The missionaries, soldiers and visiting European dignitaries lived in the convent near the church on the right end of the above map. the indians lived in two-room houses in the rest of the walls.
The guide corrected our Western misinterpretation of a common Indian scene. An Indian couple are traveling together. The man is walking out front carrying his bow and arrow. The woman is walking behind dragging the household and with a baby in tow. Westerners wonder why the man doesn't help the woman. The guide said the man is carrying his stuff and is ready to take advantage of any prey that may cross their path or defend the woman and child. The woman is carrying her stuff. It's her stuff. She would not want a man to carry her stuff.
We camped at Traveler's World, a mile south of downtown. That afternoon drove downtown, walked the Riverwalk and to the Alamo.
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