I have been excited for Dia de Muertos ever since I decided I was going to come, and it was so much fun! For those who don't know what it is, Dia de Muertos is a national Mexican holiday on November 1st and 2nd where people remember and celebrate the lives of friends and loved ones who have passed away. Some of the main aspects of the holiday are the calaveras (skeletons and skulls) and the altars. The altars are built for the souls of the dead so that they will be guided back to the family. An altar has to have something representing each of the four elements; earth, water, wind, and fire. Earth is represented by food, especially a specific bread call "pan de muerto" (dead bread) and flowers. Water is represented by some type of drink (usually alcoholic), wind is represented by the crepe paper decorations, and fire is candles.
Wiki has some great stuff if you want to learn more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead
The night before the festival we went to the special market that they set up just for the holiday where you can buy everything you could possibly want for an altar including candy...
pan de muerto...
and flowers.
Or you can be like me and just buy some things that you want to eat.
Sasha even dressed up for the occasion.
Then we went home and made our own little Casa Hoy altar.
The flowers on the ground represent a crossroads.
And the biggest excitement of the night... when we were at the market a little old lady was standing next to me and I kept feeling her pulling on my purse so eventually I grabbed and and started just holding it in front of me. Then I noticed this nice perfect tear in the bottom where she had tried to slice it open with a knife and rob me. Luckily she didn't get anything but I couldn't believe it from this little old woman!
While we were in the market Cindy and I decided that since we were the only ones that were going to be there for Halloween we would buy a pumpkin to cave. All the pumpkins here are green but I figured it would still work fine.
I was a little surprised to open it up and find this nasty green/black sludge inside. Luckily Cindy was a little braver than me and did most of the cleaning.
Then I thought I could be so creative and cave an Idaho but I wanted to do it so that it wasn't completely cut out and it would just glow through the thin part. Well it turns out Mexican pumpkins are REALLY hard and thick so Idaho ended up with few extra pieces.
The next day Cindy, Carlos, and I went to Jardin Borda where they had set up altars, displays, and food booths for the festival.
The best smoothie I've ever had! You can't really see it in the picture but it was so pretty too. Sorry Jamba Juice, but you've got nothin on these.
Crickets anyone? When I asked the lady selling these if I could take a picture she said she'd only allow it if I ate one. She said they're full of nutrients so I shouldn't worry because they're healthy. Luckily I know how to sneak quick pictures.
