Friday's sunrise from our balcony overlooking the Copper Canyon:
Sixty seconds later (I'm not kidding!) the atmosphere began to condense to fog. Thirty seconds after this photo was taken, the view was entirely obliterated. That's how quickly it changes.
Before heading for the train, we were treated to a demonstration of Tarahumara traditions including this Dance of the Mule.
The dancer wears rattles made of the dried cocoons of butterflies, filled with pebbles or seeds, and sewn closed by hand.
Yes, the Tarahumara make and play the violin (as a fiddle), introduced to them by the Jesuits.
The Tarahumara call themselves Rarámuri ("the people of the swiftly running feet"), and are famous for their 100-mile races. Many Tarahumara are world-class runners.
Just to make it interesting, they often race using a small wooden ball and stick. They flip the the ball with the toes of their sandals and flick it with the stick, but never touch it with their hands. Imagine doing that for 100 miles! And regarding those sandals, or huaraches—they're made from pieces of tire tread and leather thongs.
©2001 Doug Kaye