About 2 weeks ago, I heard a rumor that the Martha Sahagun Fox, the 1st Lady of Mexico ("La Primera Dama de la Nacion"), was going to visit San Javier in a helicopter on Monday, October 18. I asked many Loretanos, but no one had heard this news...in fact, most people I asked seemed to think I was nuts!

Nonetheless, I checked with a police officer early Monday morning, and he confirmed that Senora Fox was going to San Javier mid-day. I quickly packed up the car, grabbed a friend who had never been to San Javier and hit the bumpy road up into the Sierra de la Giganta mountains.

As soon as we reached the tiny village, I knew something was happening. The whole end of town from the Salon and La Palapa Restaurant down to the Mission was blocked off with barricades, and there were secret service-type guys roaming around, trying to look inconspicuous with wires coiled out of their ears and down into their shirts! There were also sharp-shooters on the roof of the Mission and in the Belltower, scouring the surrounding mountains with binoculars.

Most of the villagers were already gathered in the Salon (this is the same place you may recall my photos of the cockfights during the Festival last December!). They had moved round tables and chairs in, and Bili at La Palapa was frantically cooking food which was carried across the street in pots. Unfortunately, they would not allow any cameras in the Salon--but luckily my buddies from the Loreto Bomberos (Fire Department) were near the back door and watched my camera while I went into the Salon. The funniest thing was an airport-style walk-through metal detector before entering the Salon--I'm sure the folks of San Javier had no clue what purpose that modern contraption was serving!

After a few hours of waiting, a helicopter swooped in and landed back behind the Mission. Vehicles which had been driver over ahead of time whisked the Senora Fox from the landing site to right in front of the Mission, where she was greeted by all the schoolchildren--they were in their matching uniforms, gathered under the palapa (one of the few shady spots!) holding a hand-made "Bienvenida, Sra. Martha de Fox" sign. After she toured the Mission, she came out and around the side of the church to the entrance of the new Museum (dedication of which was part of her visit).

Afterward, she approached the Salon, where I was waiting with a handful of people out front. She was vivacious and charismatic, seeming honestly excited to be there. And just like the first time I realized I could touch a gray whale, when she came directly towards me I had to put the camera down! She shook hands with all of us and chatted for a few moments. Then she quickly entered the Salong...and once she was in there, they wouldn't let anyone else into the Salon. She made a quick speech in the Salon, and then left much the way she had come--in fancy cars with her entourage back to the waiting helicopter.

It was a quick visit; nonetheless, one that I'm confident the people of San Javier will never forget (and will love having some photos to prove!)

Have a look...

Note: That's Loreto's Mayor ("President Municipal"), Homero Davis, behind and to Senora Fox's right.