The Papantla Pole Flyers in Puerto Vallarta
What started out as a ritual to Chi’chini (the Sun God), Xipe Totec (God of Spring & Fertility) & to Tlaloc (Rain God) has turned into a sideshow hustle.
We finished up our lunch at the mystery restaurant (previous photo) and were headed out to find a bus stop to get back to the ship when we came across these fellows.
Evidently the show runs every 15 minutes, just enough time in between to get a new crowd in the area. Like everything else you've got to pay to play and the "Tips" men readily work the crowd for "offerings". People with phones out are a prime target and if you've got a real camera you're guaranteed to meet a friendly visitor who won't go away till you drop something in the box, folding money preferred.
I had no intention of shooting this at all, one of those seen it, done it, there's a million snaps on the WWW sort of thing. My visitor was real persistent about getting paid so I relented and dropped a couple of pesos in the box and fired off a couple of quick snaps with this being the best of the best. Enjoy.
To read the story behind this here's a link:
www.puertovallarta.net/fast_facts/the-papantla-birdmen/
The Papantla Pole Flyers in Puerto Vallarta
What started out as a ritual to Chi’chini (the Sun God), Xipe Totec (God of Spring & Fertility) & to Tlaloc (Rain God) has turned into a sideshow hustle.
We finished up our lunch at the mystery restaurant (previous photo) and were headed out to find a bus stop to get back to the ship when we came across these fellows.
Evidently the show runs every 15 minutes, just enough time in between to get a new crowd in the area. Like everything else you've got to pay to play and the "Tips" men readily work the crowd for "offerings". People with phones out are a prime target and if you've got a real camera you're guaranteed to meet a friendly visitor who won't go away till you drop something in the box, folding money preferred.
I had no intention of shooting this at all, one of those seen it, done it, there's a million snaps on the WWW sort of thing. My visitor was real persistent about getting paid so I relented and dropped a couple of pesos in the box and fired off a couple of quick snaps with this being the best of the best. Enjoy.
To read the story behind this here's a link:
www.puertovallarta.net/fast_facts/the-papantla-birdmen/