I saw in one of the flyers I picked up that the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Fliers) put on shows here. We saw them years ago in Mexico City. Five men dressed like “exotic birds” climb a pole 105 feet high then one stays on top while the other four fly around the pole with a rope attached to their ankle. The pole revolves and the men eventually unwind right to the ground. Any way we kept asking around – “Where are the Voladores?” Finally someone knew and told us where they perform and when. The when being the crucial information. “On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when the cruise ships are in.” Ah Ha.
So Wednesday we trooped over there to watch. Got parked and finally found the right place. Had to walk through lots of little shops to get to it. Didn’t see any place to buy tickets. Started up the bleachers to sit down and were stopped by security. Nope we couldn’t stay and watch. Why not? We’ll buy tickets. Nope.. Bill started talking to Security in Spanish, finally he told us to just stay where we were while he went to talk to someone else. So we stayed in the little shop that had a great view of the pole and stage. Meanwhile the bleachers filled up with people with tags on their shirts identifying their ship tour guide. When Bill came back he told us the event was ONLY for the cruise ship tours – no one else. BUT they wouldn’t make us leave the little shop we were in. So…we watched the entire show while standing in the shop. No problem. Security just smiled at us and talked to Bill. Ended up buying a Christmas manger wall hanging.
The show was interesting, in fact it was more than we thought we were going to see. There were Folklorico dancers, some dancers doing Latin dancing to promote Carnival, Danza del Venado (Stag Dance) this dance is the state dance of Sonora and is featured on their license plates.. Also a rope twirling demonstration by a Charro (who was a a boy of about 14.) And then something I’ve never seen before and don’t know the name of. Four men climb on a wooden structure that then spins like a ferris wheel. Finally the pole fliers. But here because of space restraints the pole was only 60 feet high. Still spectacular. Glad we got to stay. Another foursome had come in the same time we did and they weren’t on a cruise either. But they made such a fuss when being told to leave, several uses of the “F” word that they were escorted out by Security. Ha to them.
Their embroidered outfits front
The back of them
Folklorico Dancers
The dance of the stag
Same thing different pose
The young boy - Charro - roping and authentic clothing jumping through the rope
Coming in for other dance on ferris wheel thingy
Climbing up on wheel
Starting to spin it
Climbing the 60 foot pole to fly
Getting to the top
Getting ready to drop over the side
Ready
On their way down
Almost down
If you ever get a chance it is something to see. Four guys sping down the 5th sits on top as the pole spins playing a flute.
