In December of 1531, according to legend, the Virgin appeared on several occasions to the Indian Juan Diego, asking that a shrine be built for her. The church authorities ignored his supplications until, on her last apparition, she left an image of a young, dark-skinned woman with Indian or Mestiza (mixed race) features on his tilma, or cloak.

It is probably not mere coincidence that these visitations occurred on the hill of Tepeyac, site of one of the most important prehispanic religious centers in central Mexico.

The temple on the hill at Tepeyac (today the actual site of the Basilica of Guadalupe where the image that is housed) was dedicated to the worship of Tonantzin, "Our Mother". The religious authorities tried in vain to eradicate this tenacious cult, and perhaps decided instead to Christianize it in the form of Guadalupe.

The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe is one of the great mysteries of the world. This rough handmade garment has lasted over 460 years. The normal lifespan for the fabric made from agave would be from 10-20 years.

In their non-literate colonial society, the Indians read the symbolism of the image. They saw that this woman was greater than the moon she stood on, but that she was lesser than and coming from the Sun god. Her blue green outer cloak told them that she was his ambassador.

The stars on her cloak formed the constellations as they appeared in the sky on December 12, 1531. At her waist was a black sash, as was worn by all pregnant women at that time.

Most important of all, unlike the paintings and the statues in the churches, this messenger from God had skin the color of their own, a coppery brown.

The Indians embraced Guadalupe as the protector of the Indian and Mestizo masses under the harsh conditions of colonial rule.

Over the centuries she emerged as an important symbol of Mexican national unity. It was the banner of La Guadalupana that Father Miguel Hidalgo chose to rally support for his struggle for independence from Spain in 1810.

Moving slowly through the maze of the Catholic ecclesiastical bureaucracy is a proposal to grant sainthood to Juan Diego.

His role as protector of the indigenous peoples of the continent is one that is still recognized today and symbolized by the delightful procession of children that takes place every year on December 12.

Dressed in beautiful native costumes, the little girls bedecked in ribbons and flowers, the boys in white campesino dress, sombreros and carbon-daubed mustaches, the procession passes along Avenida Oaxaca from the Parque El Idilio square at about 5 p.m. to the church for a special mass blessing the children. Don't miss it.

According to this legend, a mule driver en route to Guatemala was surprised to find an extra mule bearing a strange wooden chest among his animals.

As he arrived at the monastery of Saint Sebastian the mule fell and resisted all efforts to get it on its feet.

Authorities were sent for and the mysterious box was opened, emitting a strong smell of gardenias. Inside was an image of the Virgin and a wooden icon of Christ.

A miracle was proclaimed and a temple dedicated to the Virgin of Soledad was erected at the site of the mule's demise.

(You can visit the newly-restored Basilica of Soledad and its adjoining museum in the city of Oaxaca on Avenida Independencia).

Puerto celebrates its patrona in three days of traditional festivities including religious observances, processions (including the calenda on Dec 16), fireworks and dances.

The fireworks display is known as a castillo, "castle," but actually it's a tower built of cane and bamboo and affixed with rockets and spinning wheels to create a fabulous show of choreographed pyrotechnic magic.

Before the castillo is lit, los toritos ("little bulls") run amok. Young men place these structures, -- most commonly in the form of a bull -- on their head and run around chasing the observers in a terrifying blaze of spinning lights and loud explosions.

The castillo always is held on the verbena, or evening before the feast day, in this case Dec. 17.

But the unique observance here takes place on Dec. 18, with the Salida al Mar, the trip out to sea. This acknowledges the importance of the ocean and fishing to the town.

At about 4 p.m., the statue of La Soledad is taken from its niche in the church and, led by a brass band and folkloric groups it is carried through the streets of town followed by throngs of parishioners.

She is led down to the beach were she is placed in a fishing boat and, along with the band and as many of the faithful who can crowd into the available fishing launches, the Virgin is taken out to sea to the accompaniment of music, singing and the explosion of rockets.

The water caravan stays out for about an hour and a half and then La Soledad is carried back to the church which is named for her. The day concludes with a free dance at the Town Hall Esplanade.

Mexico's traditional Christmas festivities get underway on Dec. 16 with the eight days of Las Posadas (literally "the Inns", but in this sense the meaning is one of shelter or hospitality). These neighborhood parties represent Mary and Joseph's search for shelter before the holy birth.

They begin with a candle-lit procession led by a couple dressed as the holy duo. Singing the traditional Posada hymn, the participants stop at two homes in the neighborhood and ask for shelter, but are turned away. The third stop is the location of the Posada, where the couple are warmly admitted.

Most important to the Christmas celebration is Noche Buena, ("Good Night"), Christmas Eve. This is when families traditionally gather for their Christmas feast and perhaps later attend the Misa del Gallo, midnight mass.

Besides tamales, an essential for any Oaxacan celebration. Other traditional seasonal dishes include bacalao (dried fish), bunuelos (sweet fritters), the delicious hominy soup known as pozole, atole (a corn gruel drink), horchata (the same made with rice), fruit punches (ponches) and a kind of rice pudding known as Arroz a la Mexicana.

Christmas Day (Navidad) is an unearthly quiet Mexican day, as the families sleep and recover after all-night festivities. The traditional day for gift giving is Epiphany or Day of the Kings on January 6.

The serious symbolism of this simple party toy is very typical of Mexico as there is always more to understand than appears on the surface. The decorated clay pot represents Satan who often wears an attractive mask to hide his true nature. The most traditional style of Piñata is a star with seven points, each with streamers. These cones represent the seven deadly sins, and the breaking of the Piñata with the ensuing shower of sweets and fruits and nuts vividly shows the triumph of good over evil and the unknown joys and rewards which will be given in heaven to the good and faithful.

The plant was the obsession of Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first ambassador of the United States to Mexico.

The ancients, who considered all flowers to be divine gifts of the Gods, knew this plant as Cuetlaxochitl, which means "the flower of leather petals". This star-shaped, red, winter-flowering plant was a special favorite long before the arrival of Columbus.

The Nochebuena was considered by the Aztecs to be a symbol of the new life earned by the warriors who died in battle . As hummingbirds and butterflies, they returned to earth to sip the nectar of the Poinsettia.

It lasts only a few hours, but it congregates thousands of locals, national and foreign visitors in the area around the Zócalo (Main Square) to enjoy yet another facet of the creativity of the Oaxaqueños who participate in this annual contest held on the 23rd of December.

The first vegetable gardens in Oaxaca were tended by Mixtec and Zapotec indigenous people on lands near to the La Noria and Cinco Señores Haciendas (Plantations) that were granted to them through a decree by Viceroy Luis de Velasco in 1563 and which later formed the town of Trinidad de las Huertas.

In those days, the market was held on the mustering grounds, which is now the Zócalo. Aside from the dried salted fish (bacalao), which forms one of the required dishes for Christmas dinner and was sold by vendors at the market place, the farmers of Trinidad de las Huertas sold their vegetables to round out the holiday menu. To make their stands more attractive and sell more produce, the vendors started to make figurines from the radishes, decorating them with cauliflower leaves and tender onions cut into flower shapes. They arranged their radishes, turnips, onions, lettuces and flowers artistically to attract the attention of the buyers. This practice became rooted to the point where homemakers began to look for these figures to decorate their Christmas tables. And on December 23, 1897, Don Francisco Vasconcelos Flores, then Mayor of the City, organized the first exhibit of these charming creations.

Some time ago, two more categories were added, that of Flor Inmortal (Straw Flowers) and Totomoxtle (Corn Husks) The Straw Flower is a dried flower that keeps its color and is used to make figurines and decorations, the dried corn husks are also used to create different images and representations.

The scenes created by the growers and artisans are inspired by Christmas motifs such as the Nativity, the Three Kings and by traditional Oaxacan festivals such as the Virgin of the Soledad, Day of the Dead, or by whatever their imagination dictates. Nowadays, the contest is organized by the Municipality of Oaxaca de Juárez, every category is assigned three cash prizes, and all of the participants receive a diploma as recognition for their efforts.

The judges start their tour of the exhibits around 5 p.m. to select the winners. This is a difficult decision because creativity and beauty are manifest in all their diversity and there are many who deserve to win. Before presenting the awards, the Governor of the State, the Mayor of the City, other dignitaries and special guests also tour the stands, admiring, asking questions and congratulating the participants.

After the presentation of the awards, all of those present patiently wait for the traditional fireworks that end all festivities here in the City and the state of Oaxaca.

This is a unique festival of artistic creativity in which an ambiance of conviviality reigns as in no other. It's not only worth going to, it's also not to be missed if one wants to feel the joy and human warmth and the true Christmas spirit of the people of Oaxaca.

1. La Quetita
   Huatulco
   42.2Kg, 2.7m, 0.76m
2. Bally Hoo
   Puerto Angel
   39.8Kg, 2.47m, 0.75m
3. Fly Fish
   Huatulco
   37.4Kg, 2.48m, 0.73m

Puerto Escondido surfers dominated the tournament, taking six of the eight winning places. Raúl Noyole and Heribero Ramirez repeated the fierce duel that marked last year's competition. Rising star David Rutherford took fourth place. His brother, José, took top honors in the Body Board event Open:

1. Raúl Noyola
2. Heriberto Ramírez
3. Raúl Medina (Mich.)
4. David Rutherford

1. José Rutherford
2. René Salinas
3. Luis Fernando Guerra (Ver.)
4. Hector Santiago