Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-01

The spell of the middle ages is still to De
felt IN this historic, sunny land, and ro-
nance of other days fingers in many a
nook and corner. While It is true that
there Is marked progress in many respects,
the masses retain that individuality for
which they have always been noted, and
the best opportunity. for studying their
picturesque and unchanged life, 1t at the
fiestas. These holidays are numerous In
their calendar, and the pleasure-loving
people give themselves up to the full en-
joyment of the occasions. 1t is revela-
ton to find how the old customs flourish
right within the shadow Of the capital
city.
Differing little from the scenes of other
years was the grand annual fiesta on
March 2lst, the traditional Paseo de las
Flores, held on the banks and in the viii
lagos bordering the Viga canal. In the
pagan annals Of Mexico, 1t is called the
flower feast, celebrated by the Aztecs In
honor of the return of spring, and still OBJ
served in all its unique and charming fea-
lures.
Long before daybreak, the booming of
cannon and the deep tones of the cathedral
bells fioated out over the sleeping city
heralding the day. Having been told that
II was one of the most typical of Mexican
scenes we determined to forego the pleas
ure Of a morning nap in order to witness
it. Making hurried toilet, we went down
to find our party already waiting to con-
duct us 10 the scene OF the festivities.
Even at that early hour the city was all
astir, the rumble of all kinds Of vehicles
making adeafening noise on the streets.
Electric cars crowded almost TO sunoca-
ton followed closely on each other. and
1t is estimated that over twelve hundred
carriages were IN line, with bicyclists and
pedestrians innumerable. ~ -
The first faint gllmmer of light found US
we'll on our way and as we left the main
business portion of the city and passed
through the quaint, narrow streets OF the
suburbs, touches OF pink appeared here
and there in the sky, with dainty CLEANS
of orange yellow against the blue. Soon
the sun burst forth in splendor over the
snow-capped summit of Popo cataptl, the
dazzling rays permeating the pure, placid
atmosphere. changing everything into
glory of color. Leaving the car about
two miles out from the city. we found
ourselves in the midst of a surging mass
OF humanity, a laughing, chattering
throng all intent upon their own pleasures.
Color and animation greeted the eyes at
every turn, presenting a picture of great
variety and interest. For miles along the
banks OF the water course booths made of
green boughs and garlands. frightened by
the national colors, red, white and green,
made a picturesque setting for the NOV
ing crowds.
Mounted police were everywhere in evil
dence, and military bands stationed at
intervals. discoursed enhancing Mexican
airs. The canal was gay with the flower
laden canoes of the Indians coming down
from the misty regions of the floating
gardens and the highly decorated barges
of the pleasure seekers passing to and
fro to the soft music of mandolins and
guitars. Much originality was manifested
in the decorations Of the different boats.
/ oil nd
| Interesting to us. Along the car line were
scenes of exquisite rural beauty. The
outlying valley shut in by mountain
ranges made so varied a panorama as to
be constant delight.
The floating gardens are the market
gardens of Mexico City. They are inter
sected everywhere with connecting canals.
which furnish irrigation for the constant
| ly growing crops. Straw-thatched cabins
half hidden by banana groves dot the is
lands here and there and furnish homes
for the 10000 Indian gardeners that gain
a livelihood from these small, fertile
patches. Their capacity to produce large
variety of vegetables and flowers of the
| finest quality was excellently demonstrate
ed on this occasion. All kinds of vegeta-
ton hourishes here TO astonishing size and
beauty. Green patches of vegetables were
all afiame with the most gorgeous peoples;
long trellises of sweet peas shut in whole
gardens of the loveliest roses. lilies and
various other flowers. One VINO has never
visited Mexico can have no idea of the
wealth Of bloom everywhere to delight the
| eye. AS we made our way back to the
| pleasure gardens of Santa Anita IL SEEM
| ed that almost everybody was carrying
armfuls of the most exquisite blossoms
and huge basketfuls could be seen over
| the heads Of the crowd. while the car
riages and bicycles were gay and festive
with all the colors of the rainbow. There
were vegetables, too, in abundance every
| where. Great pyramids of celery, lettuce
! and other green truck, with all kinds of
fruits to give color. AS we wandered
| about the gambling tables and refresh
ment booths we were charmed by many
| quaint sights and picturesque groups.
Gallant "charros." in their national rid
/ ing costume, consisting of a short jacket
of leather. with tight-htting trousers
/ adorned with buttons and tied around
/ with sash, and broad-brimmed, tall
/ crowned sombrero, were the admiration
/ of dark-eyed senorltas in their becoming
rebosas and parti-colored dresses. Some
| kind Of wireless telegraphy" served to
flash the admiration that etiquette forbids
them to put in words.
| A little summer house in the gardens
| proved charming nook to rest in, and
/ here our party sat down to a real Mexi-
| can breakfast, of hot tomales, fresh from
| the steaming jar tortillas, Sopo del ros.
Polio with Chilli sauce, and chocolate
Some of the "gringoes' ate with the relish
/ of natives but those of us that unfortu-
nately caught sight OF the serving woman
as she cleaned 90 the plates with the
apron she was wearing, suddenly lost our
| appetites and became interested in watch
ing her prepare the curious dishes.
For the tomales she took small lump
of dough and rolled It fat. Then spooned
| a bit Of meat from an earthen dish and
deposited It in the center Of the round