Los Jarochos de Tenampa

All of my Google stuff (like Gmail, Blogger, and Chrome) have switched themselves to Spanish so I'm officially in Mexico! I flew into Mexico City last night with a few other ladies from California and had my first of many tostadas for dinner.

Today was our first day of orientation and we went to a beautiful building off the Zócalo to meet with people from the Secretary of Public Education. We listened to presentations on Mexico, the first covering topics from the geography to Mexico's place in the global economy. The second covered the structure of education, recent reforms to the constitution, and the direction it is looking to take the entire educational system.

It was a long day so we ventured out for a drink, following the lead of someone who had heard of a place with mariachi bands and cheap beers. As we walked,  the light drizzle began to fall harder until droplets formed on my brow. By the time we reached Tenampa, we were soaked. They arranged a long table for us and we ordered four pitchers, two claras (light) and two oscuros (dark). Mariachi bands played simultaneously at three different tables, belting out lyrics and strumming chords to various songs all at once. Somehow it was both chaotic and melodic at the same time. A sign hung from the ceiling advertising canciones with an option for mariachis for 120 pesos or jarochos for 50 pesos. I had no idea what jarocho meant so I pulled the waiter aside and asked him how I could order one. Three men in white suits approached, two with very small guitars and one with a harp and asked us which songs they wanted us to play. After naming off a number of options I picked one and they began playing a rapid song, standing directly behind me. It was such a scene! Three bands playing at once, ours standing as close as possible to our table, yelling/singing various songs as we clapped and whistled. They played four songs and we finished our beers and wandered back to the Fiesta Inn under a light drizzle, rubbing at the ringing in our ears and walking quickly in our wet shoes, promising to dress more appropriately for the rain tomorrow.