I am a little behind on posting, I know....but I wanted to fill you all in on the amazing Day of the Dead celebrations that we just had here in Mexico. I realized that most Americans have no idea how Day of the Dead is actually celebrated, so here is a little educational post for you, with some pretty awesome pics to boot.... enjoy :-)
Dia de los Muertos is one of the biggest holidays in Mexico - it is a celebration that spans three days - where Mexicans do nothing but celebrate their loved ones who have died. It begins on Oct 31 and lasts through Nov. 2, and unlike Halloween in the States where death is something to be feared, here in Mexico, death - or at least the memories of those who have died - is something to be celebrated.
Oaxaca is famous for their Dia de los Muertos celebrations and because of it the city was bustling with people for the entire week. The graveyards were packed as people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried, and everyone else just piles in to partake in the celebrations. They decorate gravesites with an enormous amount of flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. They play music and are happy and it is such a fantastic way to remember those who you have lost. Mexico does it right here in terms of memorials - as once a year, the dead are celebrated in such a joyous way - I think that we could have something to learn here....
Below are some pictures of the events to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about:
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| The Panteon General (main cemetery). It was completely lit up - amazing. |
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| One of the many altars built at the cemetery. |
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All of the flowers in the cemetery. This picture does not do it justice, but there were flowers everywhere! I've never been in a cemetery that has smelled so good!
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| As part of tradition they make sugar skulls that they decorate and put your name on :-) |
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| Everyone also builds altars in their homes, so we built one in our office with flowers, candles, fruit, treats, photos and other memories of the people that we love who have passed on... |
And that's it for now....if you ever get the chance to come to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead - do it! It will be an experience that you will never forget!
