It’s Independence Day in Mexico. I love the story of Mexico’s independence, and it all revolves around Hidalgo and his Grito de Dolores, which kicked off the War of Independence in 1810. I love the great pride Mexicans take in the story of their uprising and ultimate victory over the Spaniards, leading to their independence.

We’re not really night owls, so with some effort I dragged myself out and made my way up to centro. Ouest was already down there with friends, so I figured I could pop up and see her and the Grito at the same time.

I miscalculated. Should have known it would be a wall of people.

I wasn’t able to see the Grito being delivered, and wasn’t able to catch up to Ouest either, even though I could see that she was just across the plaza from me. Hidalgo made his cry for independence in the nearby town of Dolores Hidalgo in 1810, and Mexico City is only a couple hours from here as well, so San Miguel de Allende is right in the heart of the biggest Independence Day celebrations. In Mexico City this year, at the National Palace, was a historic Grito de Dolores, as it was given by a woman for the first time in history—Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum. Next year, I’m going to make a point of being either in Dolores or Mexico City for the grito.

The next morning was the Independence Day parade right down the street from us.