city at night

city at night

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Happy Day of the Dead




 Day of the Dead - 2016

The following pictures were actually taken yesterday, the day before the Day of the Dead, while I was wandering around downtown Mexico City.

What better place to visit for the Day of the Dead than a cemetery?  I went to the Panteón de  San Fernando in downtown Mexico City.  So many famous people from Mexican history are buried here that this cemetery has been declared a museum.

A trail of marigold petals leads visitors (as well as the spirits of the dead) to the gate of the cemetery.  A friendly "calaca" (skeleton) is there to welcome you.

 
All of the pathways and tombs in the cemetery are decorated with potted marigold plants.  Here is the tomb of Mexico's most beloved President, Benito Juárez.



More skeleton figures within the cemetery.  As I have said, the Mexicans have a unique attitude toward death.  Can you imagine any cemetery in the United States putting up decorations such as this?






After leaving the cemetery, I walked down the street and took a look inside the Church of San Hipólito.  The altar was covered in a profusion of flowers.




As I walked down Hidalgo Avenue a man at a doorway was welcoming visitors to a free  exhibition.  Inside was a collection of "calacas" done by a Mexican folk artist.  Many of the skeletons represented Mexican celebrities from the past, such as singers Pedro Infante and Lola Beltrán and actress Dolores Del Río.




 
In front of the Palace of Fine Arts, people were completing a huge "carpet" made of flowers and colored sawdust.



The streets downtown were extremely crowded.  Many children and adults were dressed in costumes or had their faces painted.



Even some of the organ grinders along the city streets got into the spirit.


 

¡Feliz Día de Muertos! 

6 comments:

  1. The cemetery is quite extravagant and architecturally beautiful. Wonderful photos. CDMX is one place I've not
    traveled to for Dia de Muertos. One of these days.......
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure that Día de Muertos in Mexico City cannot begin to compare to places like Pátzcuaro, but it was still very interesting. Usually I arrive in Mexico around November 2nd, so this was the first time I really got to experience the occasion.
      Saludos,
      Bill

      Delete
  2. Feliz (Despues) Dia de Muertos!

    Nice post - I never thought to visit Panteon San Fernando during that holiday.

    I do still hope to make it down there sometime over the next couple of weeks.

    Meanwhile - and no obligation certainly - but I thought I'd share my own Dia de Muertos post from 2013. Thanks for letting my hijack your post. ;) Saludos de Gringolandia!

    https://gringopotpourri.com/2013/11/10/dia-de-muertos-2013/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a problem, Scott.
      San Fernando is not as impressive as Panteón de Dolores, but since I visited Dolores last year (albeit a couple days after Día de Muertos)I wanted to go somewhere else.
      If you make it to Mexico City before November 17th, let me know.
      Saludos,
      Bill

      Delete
  3. Hola Bill!
    Great photos. I hope you are having a very nice stay in CDMX. As you know, I'm back in Boston, where it's getting cold. Brrrr!!!

    Saludos,

    Kim G
    Boston, Ma
    Where it's season of the dead. Leaves, that is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim!
      Yes, I am having a great time, although it is flying by much too quickly. It has been chilly here especially at night, but there have been a number of days where I could go out in shirt-sleeves.
      Saludos,
      Bill

      Delete