Cinco de Mayo Thoughts

   Today I am sitting on a patio, feet up and sipping a margarita, enjoying the beautiful day and thinking. What is it about this adopted American holiday, Cinco de Mayo, that makes it so popular? DUH. Festivals. Dancing. Bright colors. Mariachi music. Margaritas. But why? To some our celebration of the holiday is inauthentic and disingenuous, but I disagree. Sure, there's a significant chunk of the population that doesn't know about the Mexican Battle of Puebla that the day commemorates...and for some it is about honoring their heritage. I like to think that the celebration appeals to our sense of cultural unity, and the love affair we have with the little-guy-beats-behemoth "against all odds" archetype. There may even be a subconscious expression of solidarity with Mexico, as the Battle of Puebla was the last time any European country attempted to invade the Americas. The Battle was also decisive for keeping the French from intervening in the American Civil War happening simultaneously to the north. Too bad all the history is lost...don't you think a big "thank-you, Mexico" party could be fun too? I digress.

     Apart from our own Independence Day, we don't really have a tradition of widely-known military holidays. Thankfully that doesn't seem to preclude us from trying with flavorful fiestas of food and drink. It's over-commericalized, to be sure, but there are certainly worse ways to pay tribute to our neighbors. How can you not love that iconic drink (of uncertain origins), the margarita. It's so friendly! Not stylish or abrasive. It makes me think of sunshine and salty smiles, and countless happy memories of chatting with friends outside with chips, fresh salsa and a colorful margarita in hand. Not unlike today. :)