ON THE SLOPES OF POPOCATEPETL, Mexico — Every March 12,
people from the villages surrounding the Popocatepetl volcano trek
up its slopes to make offerings and play music in asking the
mountain to spare them from eruptions.
When the sun rises, hundreds of pilgrims head out from the towns of
Santiago Xalintzintla, Tlamacas and San Nicolas de Los Ranchos in
van and trucks to drive part way up the 17,886-foot (5,450-meter)
volcano for their daylong celebration.
They walk higher up bringing grapes, corn, watermelon, chicken and
tequila hoping to appease "Don Goyo," as they call the mountain,
from the Nahuatl language.
Musicians with clarinets, a trombone, a tuba and drums begin
playing, and the pilgrims participate in hours of song, prayers,
fireworks and dancing.
Then they head back down, hoping Popocatepetl will "remain happy
and at peace."
The volcano soars up about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of
Mexico City and periodically emits bursts of ash, vapor and
sometimes glowing rock.
People from the villages surrounding the Popocatepetl
volcano make their yearly pilgrimage up the
volcano,
An offering of food and drink is placed during a ceremony on the
slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico, Wednesday, March 12,
2014. Every year on March 12,
