Letter from Estela

Gradual Departure from El Rosario

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Unlike the massive departure from Sierra Chincua, the guides at El Rosario assure me that the butterflies were still there as of 8 pm this evening.

When I visited on Sunday, March 11th, not one single cluster was to be seen anywhere. The population has sensibly decreased, but the butterflies that remain provided quite a show.  As one gets closer to the Colony, the activity of Monarchs flying all over increases in a wonderful way. One… two different spots along the hiking suddenly present a considerable concentration of population of butterflies moving rapidly in all directions. 

Though the spectacle is still spectacular, we know the season is coming to an end.

As Monarchs cross the sky over Angangueo on their journey north we local people celebrate with a mixture of feelings - from delight to farewell, from proudness to humility, from certainty to faith to promise.  

We locals have found, no better way to render homage to the monarchs than a series of cultural events, with Mexican music and dancing festivities. Monarchs are a main part of our roots, our local art and stories, and our traditions and ideology, since the times of our Mazahua, Otomí and Purepecha ancestors.

We will be awaiting the arrival of the monarchs’ great-great-grandchildren next fall!

Estela Romero

Journey North

Angangueo, Michoacán, México