Catrinas and Calaveras in Cancun

Mexico is known across the globe for its vibrant and colorful holidays. Here, even death itself takes on a joyful vibe every year on El Dia de los Muertos (“The Day of the Dead”). Held on November 1 and 2, this holiday celebrates loved ones who have passed on with altars to the deceased called ofrendas and an annual visit to grave sites.

 

Since Day of the Dead falls so close to Halloween, the two holidays are often combined here in Cancun. Children roam neighborhoods trick-or-treating with parents and friends, while the streets fill up with images of La Catrina, an elegant lady skeleton symbolizing Day of the Dead.

One of the many Catrinas I found in Cancun’s Parque Las Palapas tonight

 Tonight was an interesting one for Jorge and me. We had several groups of trick-or-treaters stop by, and we gave them some classic Mexican candies. (Jorge’s enjoying the leftovers as I write this.) Then we took a stroll around Parque Las Palapas, which had lots of family activities, people in costume, and a show with colorful Mexican dances.

My best friend Viri had an ofrenda for her brother and grandfather set up at her home, and her parents were kind enough to let me take some pictures. It has many of the classic ofrenda elements, with incense, marigolds (Flor de Muerto), pan de muerto, candles to guide the way of the deceased, sugar skulls (calaveras) and some of their favorite food and drinks from when they were living.

I always feel like Day of the Dead is a fascinating mix of intimate family memories and vivid social traditions, bringing together families and communities alike. This year in Cancun was no different.

Disclosure:  I am being compensated for my work in creating and managing content as a Community Manager for the Mexico Today Program.  All stories, opinions and passion for all things Mexico shared here are completely my own.

Sweet October-y Memories

So it’s October.

Mexico will be filled with Day of the Dead festivities, marigolds, altars, calaveritas, Catarinas… tons of culture!!

And yet, today I can’t stop thinking about these:

I wanna go home.

Halloween at Roo Nightclub

This weekend was pretty awesome! I have so much to write about… not sure where to begin!

I guess in the spirit of Halloween, I’ll start with the Halloween-y things.

Saturday night we went to Roo nightclub in the Hotel Zone. We didn’t dress up, but almost everybody else was in costume. Jorge, our friends and I sat near  the entrance most of the night, which was a great choice because we got to see all the costumes walking in and out of the place. Later we moved to a table by the dance floor.

Cancun's famous Party Center (about 1 am)

Inside Roo nightclub

HULK ANGRY!

Guy taking a shower (my favorite costume of the night)

Viri and Juan, our partners in crime

Mr. and Mrs. Gringation

The dance floor

Overall, a pretty entertaining night. We were among the oldest people there. In Cancun, the minimum drinking age is 18, but clubs will often let you in if you’re at least 14 or 15… so at 24 years old, I felt ancient. That’s just not right!

Anyway, the people-watching was interesting to say the least. I saw 2 ladybugs making out (boy and girl), Wilma Flintstone crying in a corner and being consoled by Fred, a cavewoman whose mom came to pick her up (she hid from her mom in the bathroom), and some underage girls with their butt cheeks hanging out.

At the end of the night, we all agreed this just might not be our scene anymore. Since we’re older than most people there, 2 of us don’t drink (I had 3 glasses of water) and we’re all married/engaged, there just doesn’t seem to be much to do at a nightclub anymore.

Plus, nightclub music seems to have changed. They used to play awesome music for dancing, like hip hop, reggaeton and salsa. Saturday night, all I heard was pop and techno. Not my favorite.

I felt kinda sad to realize this since I used to be the nightclub queen 5 years ago, but I guess we all have to grow up sometime.

I did get hit on by a mummy, though… so that made me feel a little better 🙂

Just Thursday

It’s Just Thursday again with Murdock’s Mama! If you wanna join in, link up by clicking on the icon…

Outside my window.. lots of sunshine!!

The time is.. 9:24 am
Today I feel.. still sleepy, even though I slept for 10 hours last night.
I am thinking.. about how weird and vivid some of my dreams were last night. Scared to go back to sleep hahaha
At the moment, I am thankful.. for kind strangers. Thanks to the lady who offered to give me a ride to work yesterday 🙂 You made my week.
I am going.. to get lots of work done today (hopefully)
I am wearing.. my work uniform.
I wish.. we had Target in Cancun. Maybe someday!

I am reading.. They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
I am working on.. losing some weight! Yesterday was a great day, and today will hopefully be even better. I have a tupperware full of fruit calling my name right now! Canteloupe and pitaya… mmm…

I am hoping.. to get Monday AND Tuesday off (for Day of the Dead), but I’m not going to get my hopes up, either.

I am hearing.. the clicking of keyboards.
I bet you didn’t know.. that Jorge almost lost his eyebrows this week. Time to get a new water heater.
One of my favorite.. fruits is canteloupe!! I’ve been buying it every week lately.
Weekend Plans.. I have no idea. It all depends on how everything plays out with days off and whatnot. Here are a few possibilities of what might happen:

Throwing a Halloween party with some friends

Going out to  a nightclub or bar for Halloween

Going to Yucatan for the whole weekend to visit Jorge’s family for Day of the Dead