The Aftermath

Here are some political cartoons I found on the internet after the seismic midterm elections...

 

I love this image which is supposedly going to the front cover of an upcoming issue of Time.

Street Art for Day of the Dead

In addition to the "ofrendas", "catrinas", skulls, and other decorations along Francisco Santiago Borraz in Tlahuac, the facades of many of the houses are painted with murals, most of them with a Day of the Dead theme.  We have been going there for several years, and while I recognized some of the street art from previous visits, other murals appeared to be new.

The "xolo" or Mexican hairless dog was believed to be a spirit guide to reach the underworld.

More from Tlahuac

Here are more photos of the Day of the Dead decorations on Francisco Santiago Borraz Street in the district of Tlahuac...

If you are familiar with animated movie "Coco" you will recognize this papier mache skeleton as Hector, one of the movie's main characters.

Also from the movie are Dante, Miguel's dog who is transformed into an "alebrije", and Uncle Oscar and Uncle Felipe.

A skeletal rock band... perhaps, The Ungrateful Dead?? 😃

Players from this summer's World Cup.

Spain (in the center) holds the trophy, while Argentina (right) has collapsed in defeat.

I don't know why Mexico (left) is shown with his foot in a bucket.

A street sweeper wearing the uniform of Mexico City workers.

An "ofrenda" in memory of departed pets

This skeleton appears to be rising up from under the pavement.

The head of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god

A skeleton in heaven, a skeleton in hell, and firefighters to put out the flames

The birth of a skeleton

Alejandro an I posing in papier mache skulls

Taco vendors

Some of the "catrinas" held philosophical messages about death.

"Do not have fear of death; have fear of a life not lived."

"Don't die before your body.

Put life into your days, not just days into your life."

  

Better Than Going to the Parade

Last Saturday was the big Day of the Dead Parade.  We were talking about attending, but come Saturday morning, we just didn't feel like standing for hours and dealing with a crowd of spectators that was later estimated to be 1.6 million.

Instead, we hopped on Metro Line 12 and took it to the end of the line to the far southern district of Tlahuac.  Just a short walk from the Metro station is Francisco Santiago Borraz Street where for the past fifteen years residents have joined together in decorating their street for the Day of the Dead season.  The effort is spearheaded by a local handicraft workshop called Jaén Cartonería which produces large works of papier mache.  We have been visiting for several years, and we always enjoy seeing how the neighbors have turned their five-block-long street into a Day of the Dead extravaganza.

Here are some photos of this year's display...

  

At the entrance to the street

This papier mache creature was the local entry in last month's "alebrije" parade.

Notice that this "catrina's" dress is made of corn husks.

A wedding couple... 'til death do us part

A "carpet" made from colored sawdust

More to come from this festive street in Tlahuac...