Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Western Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind, and percussion instruments. In addition, sociohistorical factors have influenced the repertoire in terms of the performance of diverse regional song forms as well as the evolution of the performance attire. Mariachi is important to the study of Mexican music because, as an ensemble created during the colonial period, it found its essence during the postcolonial era, blossomed during the nationalist era, and has made a global impact in contemporary times. Throughout this development, particularly since the nationalist era, mariachi music has become emblematic of Mexican music by appropriating various Mexican regional song forms, experimenting in popular radio programs, appearing in the earliest Mexican films, and performing during presidential campaigns (Loza 1993, Turino 2003, Sheehy 2005, de la Mora 2006, Jáuregui 2007).

“The consensus of modern scholars is that the word mariachi is indigenous to Mexico. The now-extinct Coca language of central Jalisco is the most frequently cited as its probable source. Legend erroneously attributes the word to the French Intervention of the 1860s, explaining it as a corruption of the French word mariage, and citing a similarity between mariachi (or its archaic variant, mariache) and the French word for wedding. Historical documents prove that both the word mariachi and the ensemble it designates pre-date the French occupation of Mexico, making any similarity with the French word a phonetic coincidence” (Clark, 1996).

The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins, trumpets, a classical guitar, a vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar), a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass guitar) and, on occasion, a harp. The musicians dress in silver-studded charro outfits with wide-brimmed hats. The original Mariachis were Mexican street musicians or buskers,^[1] but many today are professional entertainers making paid appearances in the entertainment industry. Professionals can usually play more than one instrument, and all can sing. They sometimes accompany ranchera singers such as Vicente Fernandez or even pop star Luis Miguel. Although ranchera singers dress in a traje de charro (Charro suit), they are not considered mariachis. Mariachi music, as well as other forms of traditional Mexican music, is also noted for the grito mexicano, a yell done at musical interludes within a song, either by the musicians or the audience.

Mariachi Herencia Mexicana singers Celia Correa, formerly of Laredo, and Robert Vidaurri from San Antonio perform on March 20, 2010, in Zapata, Texas

Although mariachis play at events such as weddings and formal occasions such as a quinceañeras (a girl’s fifteenth birthday celebration), they are often used to serenade women because many of the songs have romantic lyrics. Trios of mariachis may be found for hire to seranade; the best known venues are the Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara and the Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City). Mother’s days are also a popular occasion for mariachis. Prices vary immensely and are seldom cheap.

Foreign tourists often confuse mariachis with other types of buskers seen in Mexico, such as the jarochos, typical of the State of Veracruz, or “norteño” bands, which come from the Northern states of Mexico. The term Mariachi refers only to musicians who dress and play in a style typical of Jalisco, though the style and music has spread far. Usually a guitarrón and a vihuela must be present for a group to be considered mariachi.

TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE PRESS >  HERE

FIVE AND FIVE ARE TEN, TEN THOUSAND!

THE 10,000TH KM HAS BEEN RUN

EVERY DAY I FEEL I MUST BE THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD, RUNNING AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS I LIKE, LIVING MY DREAM TO RUN AROUND THE WORLD.

I OFTEN THINK WHEN THINGS GO BAD, WHEN PROGRESS IS NOT SO GOOD, THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD LESS FORTUNATE DUE TO ILLNESS AND MOBILITY ISSUES.  IF THEY COULD TAKE JUST A FEW STEPS IT WOULD BE A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DONATE TO MY CHARITY. YOU CAN FIND THE SECURE LINK ON THE SIDEBAR.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT  BY DONATING TO AWARE, TONY

AND I GOT TO RUN ON THE AUTOPISTA TODAY.

AND NEVER PAID MY TOLL

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING AWARE. HERES TO THE NEXT TEN.

The first impression I had of Sinaloa States dedication to tourism was correct. Their professionalism was incredible.

During my short stop start run along Mazatalans promenade with Ivan the PR director for the states tourism industry he managed to get many contacts in hand organizing escorts for me over the next 3 days in his state.

I have been told that my run through Mexico has had federal approval and all available services are to be put at my disposal.

It is no surprise to me that they see me as a great way to promote Mexican tourism from abroad. 2011 is the year Mexico has dedicated to promote it’s tourism. I have no problem with this but I have told many officials that I will write this blog as honestly as possible.

It was great to be back on the road again. Ricardo and Moses were my Angeles Verdes today taking up the rear while Manuel in a police patrol car took the lead. Within 1km I was saturated from my own sweat in this 85% humidity.

Still it was a lovely relaxing day in which I clocked up 43km. Gone are the arid deserts and cactus of Baja. Now I got some lovely lush green fields, so green I thought I was back in Ireland.

 Except for one or two places near Sedona, Arizona, I saw my first stagnant or even  flowing water since Colorado last April.

RUNNING ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL PROM IN MAZATLAN WITH IVAN

Later that morning I was met on the road by Ivan, Omar, Cesar and a couple of workers from the tourism department. They were travelling in a mini bus so I called it a day when they told me they had a hotel reserved in El Rosario for me. I nominated km marker 252 to be my stop/ start location

As I mentioned in the last blog (see the long you tube interview also) there was a gastro festival here but the whole thing seemed to evade my eagle eye. As soon as we arrived at a building in the towns plaza I started picking at my takeaway dinner I had obtained from a restaurant the night before. I thought we were in some community hall. I followed the others up the stairs and next thing I know I am shaking a sweaty hand with El Rosario’s mayor Edgar Gonzalez. Linguini pasta is sliding from my styrofoam carton onto the beautifully shined marble floor.

So I eventually get to the hotel and crash out for a couple of hours. I don’t usually bother with siestas but I enjoyed this one.

Ivan and the others call for me at 4.30. I had been told Sinaloa’s governor, Mario Lopez Valdez wanted to have a short run with me. Not sure if this was a windup as there was an incredible heavy security presence with the army and heavily armed police everywhere one looked.

 I was told the governor loved to be called Malova as this is an acronym of all his names. I was ushered up onto a stage and sat beside several of the town and states top politicians. The governor shook my hand. I said, ” Que Pasa Molova. ” He got a thrill out of that and then just asked me where I was from. There was about a thousand people in a large marquee listening about all the good things that were being done, including the construction of sports arenas.

QUE PASA MALOVA?

Next morning I started running about 4am. It started lashing rain. Part of me said I should be happy because as long as it was raining it would not be hot. But it was miserable and cold as I ran bare-chested, just wearing my shorts and my drenched running shoes. Just like running in Ireland again for those horrible 8 of my 9 road days there at the start of the world run.

I find it hard to compare torrential rain with excessive heat ie: which is worse, I think I want to say miserable icy cold rain.

Eventually it cleared up and I arrived in El Rosario. I got the mother of all welcomes as two police vehicles led me in sirens blazing at that early hour. A huge crowd lined the streets, they came out and took photos. Ivan told me I was in about twenty newspapers and news of my run is spreading like wildfire.

I stopped in the plaza for breakfast. Cesar met me there. A brass band played latino songs in the bandstand. Last night here I had what I can call the most delicious soft drink I have ever drank. It is from this town and over a 100 years old made from vanilla and ‘ secret ingredients ‘ I understand Toni Col as it is known as is only available in limited locations, so I wonder about the lack of aggressive marketing. I understand the owner was sitting at the very table I was at only a half hour ago. I couldn’t help thinking he missed a marketing opportunity… ‘ Tony the world runner gasps into town looking for a Toni Col. ‘ And it was true.

Actually I had been told that the people expected me to run into town which was about a 3km (detour this distance not counted) On the way out of town for the 22km run to Escuinapa I was joined by 6 runners from the Malova athletic club.

IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO RUN WITH OTHER RUNNERS. RUNNING WITH MALOVA AC

It took a long time to get these guys to open up but when they did they were great fun! It is always wonderful having other runners running with me. The time just flew away and the run was much easier. I got another huge welcome here and once again was brought into the city offices where rows of benches were laid out in the courtyard for about 50 of the towns interested locals. Some of the press asked questions, so I thought this was the press conference but they had other ideas, whisking me into the mayors office where I sat down at a highly polished table and proceeded to sweat heavily over it.

I asked Eden who was the towns tourism director for a towel and a the towns tee-shirt as I thought it would look cool for the pictures. So Eden whips his shirt off while I am mopping myself off and then stick on his shirt, so the director of tourism was shirtless.

I told the assembled journalists that the only problem I have in Mexico is with their poor standard of journalism and lack of research. I also told them if they won’t give me the courtesy of mentioning my website that I am not interested in talking to them.

A lady sitting to my left works for a Mazatlan paper, she says she would, so I trust her. Next day out on the road I see her mistake riddled, lack of content, lack of research, lack of my website piece and I am a bit peeved.

That morning I am joined on the road by Eden who is training for a triathlon. We were also joined by two members of our 3 member Civil Defense entourage. These guys are swimmers. They gave up after 10km and Eden lasted another 5km.

So I had a Civil Defense, two Police vehicles and two Angeles Verdes vehicles for much of today. In the back of the police vehicle that led me out was a Civil Defense man who was working with his mate in the pickup behind me with stop and go flags. The whole day seemed like a circus even Omar sat on the boot of a police car taking pictures as I ran. I got Eden to fill my bottles from the back of his pickup as I noticed if I stopped for a quick refil that everyone jumped out and it was hard to get going again.

Today I ran just over 54km and finished strongly at the Nayarit state line. The lads commuted me to Acaponeta. I have had a wonderful time here in Sinaloa state. As  everywhere else I have been to in Mexico the people have been wonderful. Some people have emailed me to say they were wrong about their  negative impressions of Mexico and are very positive about my run in this wonderful country.

Sinaloa state is so beautiful that I feel my camera did not do it justice.

THANKS TO IVAN FOR THIS!

  CLICK > HERE   TO VIEW

 ALSO >  HERE

ALSO MORE  HERE

10,015.4KM RUN IN 224 ROAD DAYS (6,223MILES) = 237.4 MARATHONS

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino! Tony

I PLAN TO LEAVE TEPIC ON MONDAY MORNING. I HAD BEEN THINKING OF A RELATIVELY EASY WEEK AT THE OFFICE CLOCKING OUT  40′S AND 45′S . BUT AS MAY SEEM LIKELY THEY MAY PUT ME ON THE AUTOPISTA. WITH  THAT REDUCED DISTANCE I COULD EVEN BE IN GUADALAJARA BY THURSDAY.

GUUUUAD  AH LA HARA!

TO ME THE MERE MENTION OF THE NAME OF MEXICO’S THIRD CITY ALWAYS CONJURES UP MEMORIES OF SOCCER WORLD CUP VENUES OF THE PAST.

I AM SURE THIS CITY HAS MORE TO OFFER CULTURALLY AND IF I GET OFFERED A  CHANCE OF A REST DAY THERE I MAY EVEN TRY TO FIND OUT

SO, I  AM MAKING A ROUTE CHANGE.  I AM NOT GOING TO PUERTO VALLARTA. INSTEAD I AM GOING TO GUADALAJARA. I EXPECT TO RUN THIS SEGMENT OF 220KM IN 5 DAYS AND ARRIVE IN GUADALAJARA ON FRIDAY.

FOR A MAP AND DETAILS OF THIS ROUTE CHANGE AND THE REST OF MY MEXICAN ROUTE  CLICK >  HERE

MORE DETAILS LATER.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, TONY.

CLICK  HERE  TO VIEW

THANKS TO BRENT AND MIKE OF shirtnachos.com FOR THE FOOTAGE.

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino!  Tony

10,000 KM ALMOST RUN   I expect to run my 10,000th  about 23 0r 24 km before Tepic on Sunday.

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE FOR DAILY DISTANCES UPDATES…

TOTAL KILOMETERS RUN = 9,877.7KM / 6,138 MILES FOR 221 ROAD DAYS.

AUG 4th 2011. From Escuinapa, km 200 to Nygarit State Line. km 145.7

54.3km run today on route 15. Commute to Acaponeta

AUG. 3RD 2011. FROM KM 252 TO ESCUINAPA, KM 200. = 52KM RUN.

AUG. 2ND. 2011. MAZATLAN KM 295 TO KM 252 = 43KM RUN. ROUTE 15.

COMMUTE TO EL ROSARIO.

Bienvenido a mis amigos mexicanos querido! Gracias por cuidar de mí tan grande aquí en México.
Mi sitio web tiene una traducción al español la posibilidad!
Por favor, sólo tiene que desplazarse hacia abajo y seleccione el idioma español en la herramienta de TRANSLATE en el lado derecho de mi página de blog. Espero verte en el camino!  Tony

After almost 17 hours the  ferry crossing from La Paz to Mazatlan docked. Mazatlan a city of about 400,000 in  Sinaloa, my 3rd Mexican state.

YOUNG PEOPLE OF MEXICO I LOVE YOU

Waiting there for me were a television cameraman, a newspaper reporter and Carlos of Sinaloa Tourism.

I cracked a joke which seemed to go down well… ” Young people of Mexico… I love you! ”

 The two journalists had their two young sons along for the ‘ experience . ’

I have noticed this a lot that relatives and friends of journalist tend to come along for the encounter which they probably wouldn’t have had I been say a politician or writer!

A lot of journalists also seem to be interested in my run insofar as taking photos using their own cameras after taking their ‘ official ‘ photos and then having more taken beside me.

Carlos tells me they have a press conference arranged for 11am in the Tourism Secretary’s office. It’s already 10.20. I told them I wanted to run the 3km to the hotel they had for me. Better to do it this way as tomorrow I can run straight from the hotel. I would not want to be finding my way back here tomorrow morning and have the hassle of going through the port security and what if it was closed. No run from here to the hotel is a no brainer, I didn’t  even bother logging the distance in my log, today is a rest day, my 4th straight one, getting lazy!

The boys and the reporters rode in the back of Carlos’s pickup truck taking pictures as I ran behind. Carlos set a cracking pace and several times I had to wave to get him to slow down, I was glad of the many speed bumps that made him break.

I was expecting a big sprawling ugly city and instead I got a beautiful small cultured city with a long, magnificent beach.

Inside the Tourism Secretary’s building I was introduced to Ivan who introduced me to about 25 journalists for the press conference. This went on for about an hour.

 Many of their questions were interesting and difficult to answer like; whats the difference between Canada, the USA and Mexico. There was almost an obsessional interest in my charity and some even had the AWARE.ie website open on their laptops. A Canadian journalist told me that in future I must speak more about charities as it is so important here in Mexico.

I also told them that I am disappointed and humiliated that it is not financially supported better than it is with donations to the charity. I told them that I was almost going to drop it entirely but decided to leave it on my website  because the other half of my charity goal is to have people talk about such important issues, like we are now.

After the press conference a couple of journalist asked for personal interviews in Spanish.

Then it was across the road to the promenade for a photo shoot run.

Back inside Ivan who is also a runner suggested a short run tonight. So it was set for 6.30 after I sorted out the dinner arrangements That would be 8pm.

Before I left the office I plotted out a route for my 3 days in the State.

I will be running south on route 15D. My first day will be about 25km short of the strangely named  ’ Gastronomical Festival ‘ in El Rosario. Well that sounds like food, I hope, so an arrangement was made for me to commute the 20 odd kilometers at the end of my day, be brought back next morning to my finishing spot and MAGICALLY arrive at the Gastronomical Festival next day for more gastros!

Then  it was discovered that Sinaloa States sports mad governor Mario Lopez Valdez, or Malova as he prefers to be called,will be in El Rosario. Ivan got working on trying to hook the governor up for a run with me during his visit.

Malova if you are reading this…. Time to dust off your best running shoes, I’m comming to get you!

So next it was off to the very plush Hotel Posada Freeman which Sinaloa Tourism have provided for me along with meals.

I had a lovely T-bone steak and ice cream lunch, I guess my appetite is back.

Ivan phoned my room at 6pm to suggest we should delay our run for another hour as its still 35 degrees C! Im lying on my bed sweltering and wondering what it’s going to be like when I am out on the road…