Music in the Cafes, Revolution in the Air
By Chipo DeMayo
Historically Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a Mexican victory over French forces in 1862. Unlike other French entanglements, see Germany, Vietnam, et al, they faced this contest alone and were routed. It is believed this second tier army was the inspiration for the Harlem Globetrotters foil, the Washington Generals. In essence, a General looks good in a uniform but lacks the ability to defend or fight.
As a holiday the fun loving Mexican people felt cheated. A victory over a European nation, even France, should be cause for mariachis, parades, and virgin sacrifices. Instead the populace of the Federal Republic ranked this holiday between Ground Hogs Day and Red's Tamale Day. Despite government sponsored celebrity appeals, Charro was inexplicably not among them, the day languished on the calender.
Things remained until an obscure bartender from a sleepy Monterey village, invented a drink for lost love. Fermin, his four last names unknown, decided to blend all things reminiscent of his Margarita into a large pear shaped glass. The tequila was for his fiery passion, the crushed ice for his melting hopes, the lime and the salt for her disposition. The triple sec, was, well, a misread.
For her legs, he garnished the drink with a cactus wedge, thick and prickly. This cocktail was a Mexican sensation! This stout and powerful drink refreshed a party thirsty nation, renewed national pride, and just plain plain made people happy. So this Cinco de Mayo, when your sipping on a Margarita, give a little nod to Fermin while listening for church bells in the town square.
Momentos Felices (Happy Moments)