DISCLAMER = I mispelled altar thoughout this post, and don’t want to go back and change it so ALTER = ALTAR
I don’t know how much you know about Dia de Muertos, but it is a day that is believed to be the day that the dead come back from the other world. Because their journey is so long people leave food and drink for them on the alters. People also leave things that were important to them in life, like thier tools, or toys for kids. Actually kids and Saints come back on the 1st and everyone else comes back on the 2nd. These are things I have learned, though there is definitely more to it. It seems to be very widespread and celebrated by most everyone. It has been connected by the date to Catholocism, but it has very indigenous roots. The celebration in GTO is pretty low key. There are alters all over, in businesses and homes, but no big street celebrations. The big public thing is on to go up to the cemetary on the 2nd. Families gather at gravesites and clean and decorate the graves.
Stuff to buy for your alter at home
The alter at Mikko’s school
The alter at my school (Frida and Diego are quite the icons here.)
Alter at the Mercado Hidalgo, in the center (notice it is for Frida and Diego.)
Alter in public passageway, all made of seeds.
Our alter at home
We took the bus up to the cemetary and wandered around, but it was a much more familial thing than a public thing. Everyone was very accepting of all of us gringos wandering around with cameras, I’m pleased to report. It reminded me of memorial days with Grandma ans Scotty and going to the graveyard in Astoria to be with the Syvanens. Just a lot more crowded.
These are flower vendors at the bus stop on the way to the graveyard.
The road leading up to the cemetary complete with plenty of vendors selling everything from flowers to brassiers and of course lots of delicious looking food.
Inside the cemetary gates
I would like to start a random acts campaign to come and take care of the graves of people who have no one left.
