Normally I work on Saturdays but my school decided to give me the day off to celebrate Día de los Muertos. I had heard that the little town of Pátzcuaro in the state of Michoacán was widely known for it's celebrations and a handful of other Fulbrighters were going so Jamai and I made our way West. Pátzcuaro is on a lake that is dotted with little island pueblos, Janitizio being the best known for Día de Los Muertos. Just around dark, we boarded a lancha and left for the island. Janitzio is a steep mountain plunked down in the middle of the lake with a huge statue of Morelos stuck on top. It was a steep climb up to the tiny graveyard where indigenous families were setting up altars on graves.
It was a weird scene, tons of tourists winding our way through the tombs, most of us trying out best not to step on top of the graves laying so closely together. We watched families sit quietly together, lighting candles and watching over their deceased husbands, wives, grandparents, and friends. It wasn't what I had expected to encounter after hearing so many people exclaim that Pátzcuaro was "the place" to go for Día de Los Muertos, it wasn't an event meant for tourists, but simply locals celebrating their loved ones.
On our second day there, we wandered through the town, shopped at the artisan market, tried delicious, handmade ice cream, and stopped by the Artisan Contest tent. The state of Michoacán is known for it's artisans and the contest displayed the best of the best! The art was really incredible, so delicate and detailed. My favorites were the Catarinas, clay skeleton dolls dressed in Victorian garb.

I'm so sorry about your uncle, being so far removed can be tough in such sad situations. I hope your family is doing well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and Jamai had a wonderful time. We're hoping to catch up with him this week and hear all about it. XOXO