Image Copyright 1999 Maria Elena . All Rights Reserved Worldwide. No perdas el tino Porque so lo perdes pierdes el camino. Hit it, hit it, hit it, Don't loose your aim. As I incorporated this tradition into our life, the magic and the fun of the pi ata instantly adapted from Mexico culture to mine.
Ollas being unavailable in Canada, paper mach over a balloon performs the trick.
Several days later, after the mach dries, the pi ata is either painted or decorated with colorful strips of crepe paper. At first my pi atas used the round shape of the balloon to create eggs, heads, pumpkins etc. Gradually bits of cardboard added to the basic shape for ears, legs and wings to flying pigs or fins and tails for tropical fish. A pi ata is easily customized for every child. Around this time, our family took a second road trip from Canada to Mexico.