The sound and fury of Ajijic’s annual festivities honoring patron saint, San Andrés Apostol, will be quelled this year, as most traditional November 22 through 30 happenings have been called off to avoid added public exposure to the coronavirus.

The local parish church is limiting activity for the Novenario to daily religious services, with no more than 50 parishioners permitted entry at one time.

The change in plans comes as blessed relief to foreign folks who abhor the constant blasting of sky rockets and high decibel racket of dance bands going on ‘til the wee hours. But it’s a sore disappointment for most villagers, relatives returning home from distant places and all others who would relish letting their hair down for a few days of wild abandon.

A quieter run of the Fiestas Patronales lends an opportunity to tune in to the one kind of noise that will not be silenced: the tolling of church bells.

In a nation predominantly linked to the Roman Catholic faith for 500 years, the sound of church bells is an integral part of the auditory landscape wherever you go. Though they may be drowned out by the din of daily life in urban settings and even small towns, Las Campanas nonetheless ring out steadily, calling out familiar messages to the faithful.

Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.