Mexican Musicians and Dancing Girls in National Costume
Here is a fine group of Mexican men, women, and children, in holiday costume. You might travel in many countries and not find a crowd of people more handsome. The men are erect, lithe, and almost jaunty in their bearing. They are athletic, being good swordsmen and expert riders. The politeness of the people of the upper class of Mexico is one of the first things an American traveler notices. Courtesy is second nature with them. You will note the tall-crowned, broad-brimmed hats, and the fancy vests and ties of the men. They love finery, and will spend their last peso (p´ s) for a bit of gaudy clothing. The women are no less interesting than the men. As you see them here, they might be taken as fine types of the American girl, if it were not for their Spanish features. You will observe that they wear their long, black hair in two braids, hanging on either side of the shoulder. Their holiday dress, too, is gaudy. Perhaps of more interest than either the men or the women, are the Mexican children. These you will be studying, especially the laddie. The upper class of people in Mexico take life more leisurely than we do. They take time for many of the arts, such as music, dress, and dancing. Business men close their stores and shops for 2 or 3 hours during the heat of the day, for a nap. Then the stores are opened from 3 to 6 in the afternoon. After 6 o'clock, everybody turns out for a stroll or a ride. Each is dressed in his best finery. They are fond of cockfighting, bullfighting, and horse racing. Recently, baseball has become popular. They have many feast days and holidays which they celebrate in true Spanish fashion. Keystone ID: 17787 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.