Question: What do the King and Queen of Spain, the Emperor of Japan, and the Princess of Monaco all have in common?

Answer: They've all attended the Oaxacan festival of Guelaguetza.

The pride of Oaxaca, held on the last two Mondays of July, this year July 17th and 24th, the festival of Guelaguetza is Oaxaca's answer to Rio's carnival. Planning and preparation take nearly one year and the results show it. It is spectacular to say the least. For the weeks prior to the festival it already pervades virtually every aspect of Oaxacaqueo life.

Beginning in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00, brilliantly costumed folk dancers from each of the seven regions of Oaxaca perform traditional dances to live music and toss offerings of fruit and produce to spectators at the end of each folk routine. Culminating the festival are the colorful Pineapple dance by the agile women of the Papaloapan region and the exciting, stately, Feather Dance by men depicting the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Seating for the event, held at the Auditorio de Guelaguetza on a hill known as "Cerro de Fortin" to the north overlooking the city, go on sale months in advance of the event. There are free seating areas in this open-air stadium but you must be there very early for any hope of a seat. You'll need to wear a wide-brimmed hat or sunshade and bring plenty of water to drink as the festivities last several hours. The Saturday prior to the main event, delegations from each of the seven regions stage a colorful, musical promenade through the city streets.

If you miss the festival, not to worry, videos of past festivals are usually on sale at travel agencies in town. Ask around for availability and the best prices.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.