TEMPLO del CARMEN, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

(1749-64). The vividly carved stone façade, splendid golden altar and roof with a riot of small plaster figures and colourful religious paintings are magnificent.

Retablo on altarpiece 

A Christmas concert was happening and I stood behind the four drummers for a truly front-row view. The outstanding show consisted of many varieties of dancers – an Indian wearing a coyote cape, fire dancers, stilt dancers in gaudy clown outfits, tumblers, Indigenous dancers with conical hats topped with feathers, several types of folk dancers dressed in brilliantly coloured outfits, a belly dancer, more indigenous dancers and a ballet troupe. The show ended with religious scenes projected onto the façade of the church and cloth “balloons” powered by actual fires. It was one hell of a show and I felt blessed to be exposed to such a cultural feast.