The party of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is coming soon to the Riviera Nayarit

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A traditional and magical party is about to be celebrated in Mexcaltitán, a typical fishing village in the northern coast of the Nayarit Riviera, which each year on the 29th of June celebrates its patron saints: Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The saints, represented by two teams, will confront in a battle in which, with all certainty, Saint Peter will be victorious, who is considered the fundamental cornerstone of the catholic church. There is no cheating, there may be some bias, but no cheating at all. That is what the people of Mexcaltitán say, which could be the mythical starting point of the pilgrimage of the nahuatl tribes in search of Tenochtitlán.

Since the arrival of the spaniards, with the evangelism, in this small island lost in the wetlands, both apostles are venerated. And if once upon a time the God Huitchilopoztli commissioned the people to undertake a pilgrimage in search of an eagle -or for more realistic effects and for a more precise interpretation of the Boutorini Codice, a heron- devouring a snake, now Saint Peter and Saint Paul are the ones who guide them every year.

The party is colourful and singular, because shrimp fishing being the main economic activity of what is known as the 'Mexican Venice', the Saints come out since very early to sail followed by a congregation around the island to bless the waters and thus seek that the production of each of the pens in which the delicious crustacean is caught, gets at least close to the record figure of three tons in one night.

There, among the mangroves which besides forming the habitat of shrimp, provides the material to build a complex system of dams used for this fishery since time immemorial, there is a mass a little shorter than usual, in the presence of employers.

What follows is a battle, as the entire town has been divided into two teams, each one headed by a one of the two Saints, to compete in a race around the island after which the pagan festivity begins.

For the race, each one chooses their best sailors. Then in front of canoe trails the image of the Saint is placed for who they compete. The challenge is to go around Mexcaltitán driving the canoe with rods which are submerged until they find the bottom of the canals, as it is done with the trajineras of Xochimilco, and not with oars, as it is done in this zone of the country. Every year, invariably wins the team of Saint Peter.

“No, no, there is no cheating. We are not cheaters. What happens is that Saint Peter is more miraculous and it is more convenient to entrust fishing to him, so he shouldn't be angered. What is done is that on the side of San Pedro they are always the strongest, that's why I always win, but no cheating, we compete well, "says Hector Apodaca, custodian of the Origin Museum, established in the Island to celebrate its designation as Cradle of Mexicanism.

The joy, the cheers and all the festive atmosphere surrounding the race is just the beginning of a party as traditional as any, which includes food and dancing, as well as fireworks at night and, above all, it is framed by a landscape of singular beauty.

TO GET THERE

Mexcaltitán is located 34 kilometers northeast of Santiago Ixcuintla, approximately 1 hour from San Blas and 2 from Tepic. From Santiago Ixcuintla you have to take the road to Sentispac and continue to the pier The Batanga, where you board a boat which takes you to the island.

TO LICK YOUR FINGERS

To eat in Mexcaltitán is a true experience. Here was born the original cockroach shrimp recipe and in no other place they can be gotten so crunchy, an ideal snack to have with beer. Grilled fish, shrimp tamales, shrimp pate and the very Nayaritan aguachile can complete the feast.

TO SLEEP WELL

The recommendation when visiting Mexcaltitán is to stay in the port of San Blas, where you can make the round trip in comfort. In San Blas you can find a room in cozy hotels like Garza Canela, Hacienda Flamingos and Casa Mañana, among others.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/06/20/se-acerca-la-fiesta-de-san-pedro-y-san-pablo-en-riviera-nayarit/"]Source:NotiVallarta Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]