Independence Day Celebrations in Mexico
Every 15th of September, thousands of Mexicans celebrate Independence Day with their friends, family, or even strangers, either in the public squares, town halls, or at home.
Among athletes, some celebrate, while others who are abroad due to their schedule try to live a Mexican night, and some prefer not to celebrate at all.
Adriana Jiménez and Jonathan Paredes, high divers
High divers Adriana Jiménez and Jonathan Paredes will be competing in Bosnia at the World Championship of their discipline, so they will be focused on their participation on September 15th and 16th.
"I will be celebrating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I compete on the 15th and 16th. I would have loved to be in Mexico because the 16th is my brother's birthday, but due to professional sport-related reasons, I won't be able to be home," said Adriana to La Afición. "I love pozole during these patriotic days, we celebrate big, we eat pozole, tostadas, and have some tequilas, why not? This time I don't know what I will eat, but of course I will join the national celebration," she added.
Her partner in this discipline mentioned that he doesn't know how he will celebrate, as he will be far from the country, but he assured that he will represent Mexico with dignity in the competition.
"Honestly, I don't know how I will celebrate it (he said with a laugh), I will be in Bosnia for my competition, a country where the food is unique and special, I think it will be difficult for me to get any Mexican dish, I won't even have tortillas this time, but I believe there is no better way to celebrate it than being proud of being Mexican and representing my country with dignity this weekend," he said.
María del Rosario Espinoza, taekwondo athlete
These days can be complicated for high-performance athletes, as they are always preparing for upcoming competitions. This is the case of Olympic medalist María del Rosario Espinoza, who remembers that her family did not celebrate the day with parties and Mexican cravings, but since she had to move, she sometimes attends gatherings with friends or has been fortunate enough to be present from the main box of some government palaces.
"Since I left home, I have celebrated it wherever I am, before in San Luis, now here in Mexico. I am usually training and when someone invites me to their house; I have had the chance to lead the Grito at the Government Palace in Sinaloa as well as in Mexico City. In my family, we don't get together and celebrate with cravings," declared the Mexican taekwondo athlete.
Gonzalo Pons, the 'Thor' of Mexican rugby
Gonzalo Pons Fleitas, a rugby player, lives in Canada; however, he is one of those who prefer not to celebrate on September 15th because "it is a dangerous day to go out, sometimes people go crazy." Despite this, he enjoys a craving that can be found anywhere: esquites.
Larisa Morales, wakeboarder
Sometimes distance doesn't matter, at least that's what Larisa Morales, Mexican wakeboarder residing in Philadelphia for her studies, thinks. She will enjoy some delicious tacos with her best friend at a place called Distrito; later, they will meet with their compatriots at a party.
Larisa misses being in Mexico, although "I actually spend a lot of time hanging out with Mexicans."
She commented that if she were living in the country, she wouldn't miss the opportunity to have some delicious chilaquiles for breakfast, but due to the diet she has to maintain, she would have to have "egg with ham," "tuna or chicken tostadas with avocado" in the afternoon, and "steak tacos" at night.
Diego Ramírez, coach of Dorados
Even though he is no longer a soccer player, he is still involved in the sport, now as the head coach of Dorados.
Diego Ramírez gave us the best way to celebrate this September 15th: with family, instilling Mexican traditions in his daughters, decorating the house with the tricolor colors, and the different characteristic dishes of this date.
"Yes, I usually do something because my daughters get very excited, and it brings me a lot of joy. I believe it is important that they don't overlook these kinds of dates that remind us of our roots, our country, how proud we are to belong and be part of this great country that has many good things beyond some situations that are seen or heard. That is precisely what I want to promote in my family, especially with my daughters," he said.
Despite the busy schedule in national soccer, Ramírez Deschamps always finds a way to celebrate Independence Day.
"My daughters always try to decorate the house, and we make some Mexican food, we change it up each time. Due to the soccer schedule, it's not always on the exact day, but it's close to that day, we usually do something."