Alberto
Ramirez looks up at the sunny sky and he's happy. He has a stack of
tacos, and he's happy to see a blazing sun for the annual Cinco de
Mayo festivities in Osaka this weekend. He has already sold over
1000 of the delicious Mexican fare.
"I'll
sell all of them," he said from his booth Saturday, almost
giggling, contemplating a siesta kind of an afternoon after his tacos
sell out.
Across
the way, 40 year-old Pedro Velez gives his own sales spiel while
tossing a stuffed pink pig on a table. His wife Kana sews them by
hand. He claims the toys are the best bargain at the festival. For
1000 yen one is yours to take home.
"I
like how it smiles," said 7-year-old Hideo Watanabe. "It
makes me happy."
On
display are a line of lowriders, including a cherry red '69 Chevelle
with white and gold flames on the side.
The
car owned by 60 year old Ryo Sakamoto was one of numerous lowrider
works of art that cruised proudly in the Cinco de Mayo parade that
opened the festival Sunday morning.
"Lowrider
is a culture and a way of life," Kuji Morita said while sipping
from a 500 ml can of Dos Equis beer and sporting black boots, silk
shirt, and black slacks. "It's cruisin'. Meeting people. You're
with friends and family. Cruisin'."
But
food and live music from the stages may be the stars of the festival,
which honors Mexico. For the folks of Osaka it is an opportunity to
learn of a nation, people, and culture that is often lost among the
others in Japan. Osaka has the largest Mexican community in Japan.
Local residents say they respect the work ethic and manners displayed
by their Mexican friends and neighbors.
30
year old Megumi Nakasone says, “They are so devout in their faith
and they always act with politeness. The gentlemen hold doors for
ladies and the ladies always smile and greet us when Japanese enter
their businesses. They are more like Japanese with their work ethic
than the other foreign people in Osaka.”
The
smell of pork, chicken and steak sizzling on huge, black grills
wafted throughout the festival. Patrons could also buy a "green
chile slopper," the consummate Pueblo cheesesteak sandwich.
Several people lugged around piña coladas served in carved-out
pineapples.
The
festival continues from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, and from 12 p.m. To
7 p.m. Tuesday. West Shinodagawa Park one block from Sumitomo Mitsui
bank.
By
Paul Schmidt
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