This Halloween, I went as the Grinch. That is to say, I cancelled my party-appearance in the name of getting some work done, and unrepentantly watched Mad Men instead (I'm just starting Season 4 and if anyone tells me anything that happens I'll....); ) At the end of the day, I just don't like Halloween that much.
But as I made pretty clear all of last week, I do like the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, very much indeed. The two-day event of music, colour, food, and celebrating the memories of loved ones really strikes a chord with me. So I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I took of the festivities last year. My boyfriend and I drove to Oaxaca in our hilarious red beetle, which adds an hour onto every journey, and stayed for a few days soaking of the sights and the sounds (including the sounds of lots of American tourists... Oaxaca has been DISCOVERED). But anyway, it's a beautiful city and the celebrations were truly enthralling. Enjoy!
A sand sculpture of the cathedral mirrors the actual cathedral in the main square.
dancing and music in the streets
and costumes!
lots of souvenirs
I am run down by a ghostly horseman. ; )
we journey to the cemetery with the rest of the town
even in death there is competition for the best grave!
a musical procession through town
even skeletons like tacos!
Oh, and for an authentic Mexican take on Day of the Dead, everyone should check out Ana's blog Coffee Break. She's been doing lots of posts on the subject, and her blog is also good for beautiful pictures of Guadalajara!
It sounds sort of wrong but I love seeing you run down by a horseman :D
ReplyDeleteHaha, funny photos!!
ReplyDeletemad men has GREAT costumes, good choice! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI like the horseman photo too. It strikes me that Day of the Dead is far more communal than our Halloween.
ReplyDeleteWow. Beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful pictures!! They are amzing :)
ReplyDeletecharmingflopy.blogspot.com
I would LOVE to be able to take part in the dia de los muertos celebration - that would be the coolest thing!
ReplyDeleteevery time you post about mexico it just makes me desperate to visit! i wonder if i can ever convince k to take a trip down--i think he's afraid of food poisoning. halloween is definitely one of those holidays that has lost its appeal since i stopped trickortreating. now it just seems like a big ol' hassle (which is why k and i just stayed home this year). the day of the dead celebrations sound like much more fun!
ReplyDeleteps. let me know when you publish your first book--i'll go right out and buy it!
pps. def hold off on spoilers and wait until you can see catfish in it's entirety. the plotline isn't terribly original, it's the film that makes it great.
Emily! you are the sweetest thanks for the link to my blog ;)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Oaxaca on the Day of the Death celebration only to Michoacán which is also very beautiful but your pics are amazing! I love the grave with the Cempazúchitl and the little Skull eating tacos!!!
Have a great week! I'll go today to Tlaquepaque and try to take some shots of the altars for tomorrow!
Yay! I loved Oaxaca, it must have been amazing to be there during dia de los muertos! How fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteMuito louco!!!
ReplyDeletebjuss querida
beautiful pictures
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos!
ReplyDeleteand aww, haha...at least you got work done though ;)
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/305/4/b/4bc7573af9531658169de0f7f747850b-d31xw3l.jpg
Such fun pictures even if they are from last year.
ReplyDeleteYes that top is Desigual. You recognized it correct.
Gahh epic x10000! I love Dia de Los Muertos!! Grant and I thought about heading down to LA today to check it out but we missed the train and were too lazy to drive. However, on Saturday this city by my house which has a large Hispanic population is having an all day celebration so we are gonna check that out! I wanna get my face painted ;)
ReplyDeletexx
MILK TEETHS
This is so cool! I'm not into Halloween much either, but this Oaxacan madness is something I'd like to witness firsthand!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Carrie
If Oaxaca isn't the most fun word to say I don't know what is!
ReplyDeleteAgain, incredible photos, Emily! Thank you for sharing them. I do believe you've convinced me that I must experience a Dia de los Muertos celebration in person someday. Living vicariously through photographs will only last for just so long.
Love it, especially all the colorfulness!!! That picture of you and the spooky horseman is awesome... such an action shot! ;)
ReplyDeletethis is way cool! thanks for sharing! i wish we have something like that here =(
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you've been there, nice photos!
ReplyDeletexx
Fashezine
amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteI myself didn't clebrate halloween, too bad.
stainsintheuniform.blogspot.com
Beautiful colors! Definitely a lot more artistic than Halloween...which tends to get a little cheesy in the States! Thanks for visiting my blog! I love yours - definitely will have to follow you. I'm so glad when I get to discover great new blogs that are out there
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos!! So much color and tradition***
ReplyDeleteamazing pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My garden is a perfect place to make photos! ;) And i think i't's very cool you went to all these places!
ReplyDeletexx Marije
too cute
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethank U for a nice comment and following me ! : )
ReplyDelete* Really great photos ! unfortunately in my country halloween is not so popular...
love the photos . . . that sand sculpture is insane. i have to agree with you, i'm not much of a halloween fan. i'd take tacos over it anyday!
ReplyDeleteI have ALWAYS loved the artwork from Dia de los Muertos!! Since San Diego is so close to Mexico, you can find some of that artwork here...I'm always wanting to buy it up!!
ReplyDeleteHalloween is not big at all here in the UK and I must admit I really like the feel of it!
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are just so brilliant! It really captures "Halloween" in so many different ways!
As for maple syrup, it's quite easy to find here as well, but very expensive! I miss Canada... lol
i would love to be at a dia de los muertos festival. lovely pictures!
ReplyDeletewoow! must see Mexico is unique and great pictures you shared with us!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Catita
GREAT PICTURES!!! my friends through a loft party/art show in montreal this halloween weekend that had art inspired by day of the dead. it was so beautiful and the costumes it inspired were the cream of the crop!
ReplyDeletefashionmademefunky.blogspot.com
Interesting party, I would like to be present in Mexico for a such event.
ReplyDeleteI think it's cool in photos, but all of that creeps me out. *shiver*
ReplyDeleteQué orgullosa me siento de mi país y estas tradiciones... Y qué hermosas fotos!
ReplyDeleteWow this looks so cool! Great pictures!!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are amazing !!!
ReplyDeleteThanx for visiting my blog, I'm really happy you've been on mine, and commented my "Halloween - Day oh the Dead" post ;)
Bisous from Paris