16 September was Mexico's Independence Day and every town we went celebrated it. There were red, white, green ornaments hung everywhere, and street side stalls sold the flags, ribbons and all sorts of accessories.

There were carnivals in school, in towns, every state, and every carnival had lots of food, things to buy and free concerts.

In Cholula, San Pedro, the street stalls extended to the main road and it feels just like the pasar malam in Singapore.

Apparently the day Mexico was declared independence is on 16 September. But one of the presidents had his birthday on 15 Sept and ruled for the country to celebrate on 15 Sept. What a tyrant. So the citizens have their speech, fireworks and processions on the night of 15 Sept and countdown into 16 Sept. Then, on the actual day, 16 Sept, everyone goes out and have fun. The atmosphere on the streets on the 16th is vastly different from that of 15th. If we didn't know better, we wouldn't have known that 15th was a special day because the streets looked and felt no different from any other days. But 16th Sept started off with lots of confetti on the ground (sorry cleaners!) and the streets were filled with people since morning.

I liked how the Mexicans are simply happy with the fact that it is Independence and brings it out on the streets to celebrate. In Singapore, we are happy about the national day too, but we only celebrate within our hearts, in school, or at the national day parades (if we managed to get the tickets). We don't turn it into a festival and I think that is a great pity.