More for the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead is just four days away.  Here are some more random photos that I took while walking around the city yesterday...

Nearly every bakery, café and restaurant in the city is offering "pan de muerto".

 

Just because this place is called "La Pastelería Suiza" (The Swiss Pastry Shop) does not mean that they do not sell Mexico's favorite bread for this time of year.

With or without cream filling!

This sign outside a café gives an explanation of the symbolism of the bread of the dead.

   It round shape represents the cycle of life and death.

The small knob on top represents the skull.

Around it are the bones of the arms and legs.

The four points of the compass are dedicated to the Aztec gods, Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc, Quetzalcóatl and Xipetotec.

The flavor of orange blossom is for the remembrance of the deceased.

"Ofrendas", the altars in honor of the departed, are not set up only in families' homes.  Many businesses, churches and museums will also put up an "ofrenda" during this season.

There is a swimming pool supply store in the neighborhood of Condesa that has always decorated for the Day of the Dead.  This year is no exception.  I peeked inside the door to take a picture of the owner working on an elaborate "ofrenda".

This taco restaurant in the Zona Rosa district has an "ofrenda" with dishes of tacos and other items on the menu.

A common sight on the sidewalks of Mexico City are vendors selling the typical rag dolls that are known as "Marías".  This year for the first time I saw a Day of the Dead version of the doll with the skeletal face of a "Catrina".

Speaking of "Catrinas", I saw another vendor selling the elegant skeletons made from corn husks.  These were even more elaborate than the ones I bought last week for my "ofrenda", and they were the same price.  But, no, I didn't buy another one.

Finally, a larger than life "Catrina" welcomes visitors to a casino in the Zona Rosa.