Santa Anita, Baja California... Not So Nice

We decided to explore the northern Cabos area today by driving up Highway 1 to Santa Anita, which is a small town about thirty minutes from San Jose del Cabo with a vibrant local history. We were told that there would be a local saint's festival, with food, live music, and dancing. So we went up the road to explore. 

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Santa Anita was having a festival this week and there was activity at the lovely little Catholic church, where people were praying and singing, and little boys and girls were dressed up in all their Sunday best. ​

These little girls allowed us to take their picture. They were so happy with their cute pigtails and braids

Then we circled around and saw a band playing a large circle of men and boys (at least 100-150) in a big circle around an outside a blue pop-up tent, like a blue canopy. Then we saw men carrying small cardboard pet carriers with airholes in the sides. 

It was a live cockfight. The dead roosters were tossed aside in a heap by the side of the road. You could tell that many of them were very attractive birds, with vibrant plumage. Now, neither of us are vegetarians, so we understand where our meat comes from.  

​Now, cockfights are legal in Mexico, and for the most part, accepted as entertainment, but it was still disconcerting and rather sad to see them there, in a jumble of feathers and wings. There was also the issue of drinking and open gambling, with very young children also watching the cockfight. I knew our children would be attracted to the commotion, so we left, and didn't stay for the festival.