A Busy Month

The month of October is one of the best times to be in Mexico City.  The calendar is filled with events leading up to the Day of the Dead.  The next few weeks are going to be very busy.

I have already started decorating the apartment with "papel picado" (cut paper) decorations, "catrinas" (elegantly dressed skeletons), skulls, and, in a nod to Halloween, a couple of ceramic jack-o'-lanterns.  Yesterday I arranged tables in the living room for setting up my "ofrenda", an altar in honor of those who have passed away.  I also bought a potted marigold which is an essential part of the "ofrenda".  In the coming days I will finish setting up the altar.

The first big event of the season is the Parade of Monumental Alebrijes on Saturday, October 18th.  Large papier maché figures of fantastical animals are wheeled down the streets of the center of the city.

An "alebrije" from last year's parade

Our friends Al and Stew from San Miguel de Allende are coming to the city to see the parade with us.

And on another day, sometime after the parade, it is an obligatory tradition to take a walk along the Paseo de la Reforma.  All the "alebrijes" are lined up along the boulevard, and we can take a closer look at the bizarre creatures.

Starting the following weekend the "Mega-Ofrenda", the large Day of the Dead display on the Zócalo, will be set up and ready to view.  The theme of this year's "mega ofrenda" is the 700th anniversary of the founding of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City).  

A small portion of last year's "mega ofrenda"

On Sunday, October 26th there will be the Procession of the Catrinas.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people, dressed as elaborately costumed skeletons, parade down Paseo de la Reforma and on to the Zócalo.  We will probably do as we have done for the past two years... arrive before the procession begins, and get lots of photos of the participants gathered for the parade.

A "catrina" awaiting the start of last year's procession

Sometime before the Day of the Dead, I hope to get to Jamaica Market.  The market with its vast number of flower vendors is always a great place to visit.  But it is especially amazing this time of year with thousands upon thousands of marigolds for sale.

If we have time, we might venture once again down to the southern district of Tlahuac, where the residents of one street go all out decorating for Day of the Dead.

Finally, on November 1st we have tickets to see the Ballet Folklórico.  They are giving several special Day of the Dead performances by the lake in Chapultepec Park.

It's going to be a month chock full of fun activities.