Halloween and Dia de los Muertos in La Cruz

November 4, 2014

We have reached November and things are getting busier in little La Cruz, starting with Halloween.

In Canada and the States Halloween is a huge celebration, almost as big as Christmas.  Mexico not only celebrates Halloween but also Dia de los Muertos, which originated centuries ago in Mexico. This Day of the Dead celebration is held on November 1 and 2 annually in Spanish speaking cultures. The holiday is a blend of pre-Hispanic indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholic beliefs where people remember and honour those who have passed.  It is considered an important festival and joyous time of celebration.  Being Mexico’s most important holiday, we hear it costs more money to put on than Christmas celebrations.  Often altars are erected in private homes, public squares, churches and restaurants then covered with mementos and photos of those loved ones who have died.  In La Cruz the local restaurants erected their own altars and invited guests to bring something of significance for the display remembering the dead.

The alter at Philo's Restaurant

Notice the photos of loved ones and Dia de Los Muertos skeleton figures.

  On October 31 the local Catholic Church led a procession along the worn cobblestone streets.  The flatbed of an old pickup truck worked well as a platform featuring two older children dressed in religious robes.  They were followed by hundreds of children, many dressed in white.

After the procession made its way around town’s narrow dusty streets the children dispersed and ran home to change into their Halloween costumes.  As the sun set over town the streets came alive with mini witches in pointy hats, gruesome goblins carried treat bags, zombies with fake blood dripping, ghosts that glided by in swirling sheers and more.

Besides Halloween October 31 seemed to be the official start of winter tourist season and the restaurants were filled to capacity with gringo’s, most who brought bags of Halloween candy for the trick or treaters.  The gringo community clearly embraced the tradition of giving candies out at the restaurants.  Often the little ones were too young to walk by themselves so they were packed around by grateful Moms.

Deborah and Jim with a pile of candy between them

Shannon and Bev stopped by Philo's to say hi.

A few of the kids had even managed to say “Happy Halloween” and “Thank you” for the gringos. The words were sometimes a bit stilted and they probably had no idea what they were saying but they did it with big smiles on their faces, often with proud Mamas standing right behind them.  Jim, Deborah Jackson from Cyclades and I had dinner at Philo’s Bar and Restaurant and enjoyed the super busy, noisy evening immensely.

On Saturday evening November 1 the first of two processions walked along the marina waterfront where more altars were erected.  Unfortunately we were settling into our land accommodation so we missed it but we gather from friends who attended that it was a very emotional ceremony.   We're staying on land as we hauled Falcon out for a paint job and annual maintenance.

On Sunday we visited the altars that had been set up near the waterfront.  They were erected in a small park near the first Sunday market of the season.

The park area was surrounded by dozens of tables featuring skilled craftsmen, cooks, bakers, jewelers, weavers, beaders,etc.

Shannon and Deborah enjoying refreshing veggie and fruit juices

This was the first Sunday market since May and we were very excited about the beautiful handmade rug we purchased, along with a brightly painted pottery bowl, take out homemade vanilla yogurt, and a stunning ammonite fossil necklace that was crafted while I waited.  These works of art will adorn some future land based home and remind us of our summer in La Cruz.

These talented musicians provided background music

A busload of tourists were dropped off for the market.  

The temperatures in La Cruz are just beginning to drop to a slightly more comfortable mid 80’s and we're able to get out and walk at our normal pace without feeling too burned out.  We are staying in a great little newly renovated studio apartment next to Philo's Restaurant while Falcon is out of the water at the local boat yard. We have so much room! We’re glad of the slightly cooler temperatures as we do have some out of the water maintenance to do between now and Sunday.  We always enjoy the walk between town and the boat yard while we wander along the cobblestones admiring the creative use of paint.

Maybe they got a great deal on the colour?

A private garden with massive palms towering everything.

This is one of the most well maintained homes in town.
Lots of tile work on both street fronts.

Next blog update will be after we leave Banderas Bay and start our northern winter journey back to the Sea of Cortez.  More then….

Happy November from Tricia and Jim Bowen
Falcon VII
email: tandjbowen13@gmail.com