A very special Dia de Virgen de Guadalupe

Yesterday, we spent the entire day with the danzantes from Teotitlan del Valle.  My good friend, Mario Ruiz Bautista and his wife Victoria hosted a large celebration for all the dancers and their families, well over one hundred people.

I have known Mario for many years, getting to know him as the official photographer for the village.  As we shot many different events and celebrations, he was always accompanied by a little kid, his son Edgar Daniel.  I gave Edgar lots of my old cameras and soon, he was shooting professionally along with his father.  Now, he is a fine young man and one of the danzantes for la danza de la pluma.  Here he is with his mother as they processed to the church.

I feel quite a little bit of his family's pride and along with blogger buddy, Shannon, am honored to help him and his family as patrones... and oh, does it feel great.  It was a remarkable day and there is much more to come.  Here's Shannon's post about the day.