Feliz Ano Nuevo

Fireworks displays all over this city.. (Guadalajara) Nothing short of
SPECTACULAR.. Street dancing everywhere.. Mariachis playing music to
cause your heart to beat like a drum.. The bikers have arrived and the
streets are filled with laughter and joy.. This is the New Year and
2004 has been brought in like a welcome breath of fresh mountain air
that makes your skin tingle and your eyes glitter like drops of rain
on a window glass.. Dark skies light up with the visions of the
designs of bright graphics.. The dancing is a message of its own, as
all come together for this special night.. The children play in the
streets as the pinatas are broken and the treats inside spill across
the curbs.. Families are all outside and even the tiniest of the
babies are laughing with just the pure pleasure of the moment as the
old year grudgingly passes into our history books and the new year
comes into being.. Arent we fortunate to witness such spectacular
splendor amongst a people who kindly revere one another and bless each
other with well wishes and kindness.. The excitement wanes slightly..
the mood softens and the people do not reflect on the past year but
only look forward to good tidings for the coming new one.. What a time
to be alive and share all this wonder.. We ride through the downtown
streets on our iron steeds and we share with the world what we have
been blessed with.. The crowds greet us with cheers and shouts of good
favor as we slowly rumble up one street and down another.. And so it
ends the night in Guadalajara as the old year quietly passes into
submission while the new year proudly stands ahead of us.. The
Mariachis stand quietly with their sombreros held reverently over
their hearts as we park around the Plaza.. Their instruments silent
with only the rumble of the dying engines to be heard.. In my honor,
someone has brought the symbol of our Nation to the front and I watch
with my heart in my mouth as the bandera of Mexico and the flag of the
United States of America has been paraded twice around the Plaza.. I
hear softly to my left side, as someone quietly and softly says..
Vive la tierra.. I look around me and I see many strong brown hands
quietly wipe eyes while the moment is filled with the emotion and love
of both lands represented in this event.. Long live America and Vive
Mexico.. The shout roars above the crown and strong men salute each
other with the pride of thier own land in their faces.. A microphone
is thrust before my face and I speak softly to the many who have
graciously invited me here to share this momentous occasion..My wish
is that my many brothers and sisters in Texas could only share in
inspiring brotherhood that is so openly offered in this place and on
this night.. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all and I wish each of you so many
happy returns with the new year ahead of us..

Your Friend in Guadalajara
Bill Walker