When I mapped out where 2011 would take me, I had no idea it’d be to Mexico. Twice.
The first time, when we went to Costa Maya and Cozumel, I saw some Dia de los Muertos dolls. I think they’re called calacas, but I’m not entirely sure. I get them and calaveras confused.
At any rate, when I saw the skeleton figurines in Cozumel I snapped some pics.
Unfortunately, due to the glass and glare, those didn’t turn out all that great. Bummer.
However, like I said, Lucky for me Fate saw fit to have me head back to Mexico. This time to Ensenada.
I tried to get a few more pics of Day of the Dead wares for sale. I only got two pictures and was lucky to get those. At the point in time I snapped them, my husband’s patience with me stopping to get one more photo of something else was spent. He was ready to get back on the ship and eat some lunch. (Since his breakfast hadn’t been very good and what he didn’t eat the birds went after.)
I sort of ignored the whole Dia de los Muertos thing when we lived in Arizona. It’s kind of like when you grow up with something and are exposed to it, you take it for granted.
However, now that I live away from it, I appreciate the celebration, artistry, and passion behind it more. In fact, on our bus tour to see the ruins of Chacchoben, our guide had the bus driver stop by a road side cemetery.
Our guide explained what a big party they throw for two days, both in their homes and their local cemeteries, for Dia de los Muertos. There’s food, drinking, flowers…it’s a very festive affair. It’s like that in all the villages and towns in Mexico.
He explained that Dia de los Muertos is a time to welcome the dead. To remember them, and treat them as if they are still around. Perhaps that’s why he thought I was nuts for asking about ghosts later in the tour. Why would they need to hunt them at any other time of year when they can party with them from October 31 to November 2?
I have to agree. In some respects, partying with them seems like a whole bunch more fun than hunting them in the hopes one will appear. It’s just a given that they’re around living it up with those they left behind during Day of the Dead celebrations.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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