Did you miss virgin day? It was Wednesday (ironic to have Virgin day on Hump day isn't it?). It was the Fiesta of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Catholicism is so much more ingrained in this country than anywhere else I've been.. For example, the names of businesses.
Please note that the sign indicates that the Jesus Pharmacy offers discounts. Well it's newer in the business than its competition "God Pharmacy." They are probably trying to build a little market share before they jack up the prices. It's always this way with deity businesses. No kidding they really do have the pharmacy of God. They also have pharmacies named after monastic orders and astrological signs. A little voodoo with your science never hurts.
Just a little background on the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is the Mexican version of the Virgin Mary with brown skin. Of course, the original Mary very well might have had brown skin. Right after the Spanish started their campaign to convert the Indians to Catholicism she appeared to an Indian named Juan Diego. JD told the priests, but they didn't believe him. So she appeared again and put her picture on his cape as proof that she had appeared to him. This cape is what is on display in the Basilica of the Virgin in the north of Mexico city. The cape display has a really odd system of moving sidewalks in front of it so you can't stop and gawk. You just glide right by and pay your respects quickly.
The Virgin of Guadalupe has got to be one of the greatest gimmicks of all time. In the 1500's They were having a hard time trying to push Catholicism on the Indians. Then they got smart and decided to market it as something too good for the Indians. The priests at first "couldn't believe" she could have brown skin and appear to a mere Indian. The desired Indian response, "Well damn right I'm good enough for your virgin to appear -- or to buy your product." Brilliant!! and it worked. It turns out that Juan Diego was no mere peasant. He worked with the priests and was a former Aztec nobleman. So whether you believe it was a miracle or an invention of the priests, either way it was marketing genius.
I'll leave you today with a picture of my local bookstore -- sort of the neighborhood Barnes & Noble. My favorite things here are the National Geographics in English from the 60's & 70's. Sixty cents for one or two for a dollar. The smell of mildew is free.
Teaser for next week. I'm going this Sunday to the mountains to look at the migration of Monarch Butterflies. This is their winter home and there are millions of them in one spot.
Affectionately yours, GagginMexico. fmarlman@aol.com
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