Thursday 1 November 2012

the most morbidly beautiful holiday in the world

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I'm the Grinch who stole Hallowe'en, but I love love love the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. I've written about it before; how I find the celebration of dead ancestors in a happy way to be a refreshing and wonderful thing, how I would kill for some of the beautiful skeletal lady ornaments you can buy (but only the really expensive ones, please), how the colours and music and joy of the occasion are overwhelming, how wandering around Oaxaca throughout the festival in 2009 was utterly magical, pimped-out tourist trap though Oaxaca is. If I ever manage to dress up for Hallowe'en ever again, I'm going as a Catrina Mexicana, though my friend Amandine said she did one year and the face paint itches like you wouldn't believe.

So I couldn't not share these stunning Day of the Dead inspired photos by Xenia McBell. There are a few more on her site... check them out!

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P.S. I did a post about the time we went to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead a few years ago... here. I subscribe to the "no regrets" philosophy, but if I have one regret, it's that Albert and I didn't buy a DSLR and learn how to use it while we were living in Mexico. Oh well, next lifetime I guess!

P.P.S. the mini shrine I made that year is here...

8 comments:

welldressedmaker said...

oooh these are really beautiful pictures! I had totally forgotten about Dia de los Muertos. Growing up, in the Philippines, we celebrated All Saints/Souls day and those were huge days for us!
♥ laura
the blog of worldly delights
the shop of worldly delights

Anonymous said...

These are stunning :)

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

That was my costume last year although def not as beautiful :) did u know why they're called catrinas? Learned that in a def tourist trap 2 yrs ago too. Oh how I love Oaxaca, so lucky u got to be there for day of the dead!

Anonymous said...

love the photos. :)
Irene Wibowo

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos, I am fascinated with day of the dead too xx

Amber said...

wow these shots really are gorgeous. thanks for sharing :) I needed a little beauty today to help alleviate the gloomy weather blues

Rubies and Emeralds said...

I love these pictures! Such engaging images, thanks for sharing!

xoxo
http://rubiesemeralds.blogspot.com/

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

These are stunning. I remember your Dia de los Muertos post and I still would like to experience the festival for myself some day. Do you ever miss living in Mexico?