Monsters and Skulls

After our dinner on Sunday afternoon, Alejandro and I headed down the Paseo de la Reforma.  The tree lined pedestrian walkways to either side of the boulevard were jammed with people.  They had come to see the "alebrijes", the giant cardboard creatures from the previous day's parade.  For the next couple weeks they will be on display along the Paseo.

But the "alebrijes" were not the only thing that was drawing people to the Paseo.  Even more were on their way to watch or participate in another parade that would take place in a couple hours... the Mega-Procession of "Catrinas".  Thousands of people would be marching down Reforma made up as "catrinas" (or the male counterpart - "catrines"), the elegant skeletons that have become an iconic part of the Day of the Dead celebration.  

Anyone could march in the procession.  Along Reforma there were booths where make-up artists transformed people's faces into skulls. 

This vendor, dressed as Héctor, the character from the movie "Coco", was selling garlands for the "catrinas" to put in their hair.

The meeting place for all the "catrinas" and "catrines" to assemble for the procession was around the Monument to Independence.  While waiting for the parade to begin, we mingled with the participants and took photos.

Coming up next... the Procession of the "Catrinas"!