Photo ABCs

Day of the Dead 2024: Mérida, Yucatan

Souls returning from the dead can pose for a group selfie, too!

Day of the Dead 2024: Mérida, Yucatan

A catrina lights her candle, preparing for the Paseo de las Animas (Parade of the Souls), in Mérida, Yucatan.

Day of the Dead 2024: Mérida, Yucatan

Another catrina, posing in the Mérida General Cemetery.

Day of the Dead 2024: Mérida, Yucatan

Each year I travel somewhere in Mexico to photograph Day of the Dead observances.

The idea of celebrating those no longer with us, instead of grieving, is a wonderful tradition.

This tradition takes different forms in different areas of Mexico.

While there were no candlelight vigils at family gravesites such as practiced in Michoacán or Oaxaca, there was a calendar of events which took place in and around Mérida.

The most photogenic were two events, a Paseo de las Animas, or Parade of Souls, which took place on October 31, and proceeded from the General Cemetery towards downtown, and a Desfile de Catrinas, or Parade of Catrinas (skeletal figures representing the dead) which began in the central plaza and headed towards a park a mile or two away.

The Parade of Catrinas fell victim to moderate rain just after it started, giving new meaning to the expression raining on your parade!

Fortunately I took photographs before the parade started.

Over the next two weeks or so I'll post a new photo each day, taken before or during either of these two parades.

Here is a lovely catrina posing in Mérida's General Cemetery:

Fine Art Festival, Km 43

I am pleased to announce that I will have a booth at the Sassy Fine Art Festival this Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival will take place at Hacienda 43, a restaurant located at Kilometer 43 on the free road from Rosarito to Ensenada.

There will be live music and two dozen artists present.

I had a meal at the restaurant recently, and can attest that it is delicious!

I will be displaying dozens of images celebrating Mexico's culture and bird life, such as this Military Macaw photographed near Puerto Vallarta:

Or this Butterfly-themed Catrina photographed last year in Michoacán:

Pork, Rice and Beans

This may be the tastiest meal I had in my trip to the states of Guanajuato and Michoacán during the autumn of last year. It may have been the least expensive, as well, purchased from a roadside stand on the outskirts of Pátzcuaro.

Just pork, rice, beans, tortillas, and a glass of Jamaica (hibiscus drink).

Day of the Dead 2023: Pátzcuaro

More gravesites in and around Pátzcuaro during last year's Day of the Dead:

 

 

 

Day of the Dead 2023: Pátzcuaro

More gravesites in and around Pátzcuaro, Michoacán during last year's Día de los Muertos:

 

 

Day of the Dead 2023: Pátzcuaro

More scenes from various cemeteries in and around Pátzcuaro during Day of the Dead last year:

 

 

Day of the Dead 2023: Lotería Catrina

Katya dresses as a lotería-themed Catrina, in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, during last year's Day of the Dead: