Mardi Gras - Trans-Americas Journey

Mexico’s Fat Tuesday (Martes Gorda?) celebrations may not be as huge or as raucous or as naked as some, however, the annual Mardi Gras parade here in Ajijic did have its moments…

…like this paper mache bull going after parading (intentionally bad) drag queens.

Male paraders traditionally dress up like old men or gaudy women. Sometimes it's hard to tell which look they were going for.

A guy with a long stick with a hook on the end of it had to follow Miss Mariposa and move the many low-hanging power lines out of the way so this her particularly tall float could safely pass.

What’s a parade with banda and some bovine love?

Paraders can choose to give bystanders a face full of flour or a face full of confetti. Either way, squealing and chasing ensues.

A Mardi Gras moment during the parade in Ajijic, Mexico.

Superheroes and Supercharros mingle during Ajijic’s Mardi Gras parade.

This tiny white burro is a fixture of Ajijic and the fancy pedicure isn't just for Mardi Gras. Its owner paints its hooves a different color every week or so.

The "ladies" of Mardi Gras in Ajijic.

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Sunday got started off right with a hearty breakfast at the Telluride Elk’s Lodge which has a funky long bar along one wall, a stage in the back (where a singer/songwriter serenaded diners) and enormous stuffed elk heads all over the place. Then it was onward to the final day of this awesome festival.

The Lee Boys kick off Sunday with some sacred steel.

The Lee Boys kicked off Sunday's performances with some slammin' sacred steel.

Most of Sunday was a bright sunny day at the festival.

Most of Sunday lived up to the name with plenty of bright sunshine.

Almost every musician at the festival made it a point to mention that Telluride is, by far, the most beautiful stage setting they’ve ever played at. Many whipped out cameras to capture the scene from the stage for themselves. Ryan from Umphrey’s McGee went one better and pulled out his Flip video camera during a break between songs.

One not so popular side effect of playing Telluride is the altitude (over 8,700′) which makes the air thin and the performing hard. Oxygen tanks were supplied backstage and plenty of musicians used them to get through their sets.

Super Chickan and the Fighting Cocks (his all-girl band) brought the Delta Blues straight from Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Super Chickan and the Fighting Cocks.

The festival had a fun kids area with various games and rides like the bungi jump.

The festival had a fun kids' area with various games and rides like the bungee jump.

Sunday brought a sunnier Mardi Gras parade than the day before.

Mardi Gras parade.

Ruthie Foster.

After a sunny day, a nasty 10 minute wind and hail storm blew in just as Bonnie Raitt's set begain.

After sun for most of the day a nasty 10 minute wind and hail storm blew in just as Bonnie Raitt's set began.

After 3 days of sun, rain, hail, mud and music, this crew was not going to stop dancing for Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal.

After three days of sun, rain and hail this crew was not going to stop dancing to Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal (dubbed Bontaj Roulet) no matter what the weather threw at them.