The Big "Ofrenda"

As I have said before, "ofrendas", the altars which are set up in memory of the departed, are to be found all over Mexico City during the Day of the Dead season.  Each year the city puts up what they call a "mega-ofrenda" on the main plaza, the Zócalo.  Unfortunately, the last few years, after going to all the trouble of erecting the "ofrenda", it is only left up for a few days.  So, last Friday, the day before the Day of the Dead, I made a quick trip to the Zócalo.

The "ofrenda" was set up in front of the Cathedral.

All around the plaza there were enormous skeleton figures made of papier mache.

Since Alejandro had not yet seen the "mega-ofrenda", on Saturday night after the parade and dinner, we returned to the Zócalo to see the holiday lights and display.

Although the decorations were impressive by night, it was not a pleasant experience.  The Zócalo was jammed with people... think Times Square on New Year's Eve.  It was so crowded that it was difficult to move.  I felt sorry for families with little children or elderly grandparents that were there in that sea of humanity.  I think that the reason for the problem is that the city only leaves the "ofrenda" up for a few days.  This was the only weekend that people had a chance to see it.  After Sunday, everything was taken down.