In Oaxaca, a Different Kind of Day of the Dead
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 11.01.06 | 8:11 AM ET
Today marks the beginning of Mexico’s Day of the Dead festivities, when Mexicans and tourists alike gather in cemeteries and around town squares to ponder the world beyond and welcome back the spirits of loved ones who have passed away. Oaxaca is among the most popular places for visitors to get a taste of the holiday, but as the AP notes today, few tourists have made the trip this year due to concerns over ongoing protests in the city and occasional related violence. As one local remarked, “Our celebration is very sad this year, it doesn’t have that happy feeling.”
That’s a shame.
For those interested in one traveler’s experience in Oaxaca during a previous Day of the Dead celebration, check out Leslie Berestein’s World Hum dispatch, Picnicking with los Muertos.
For those considering future trips, Planeta recently posted a Day of the Dead primer.
Finally, for those like me who dig Day of the Dead arts and crafts—those are my skeleton mariachis in the photo—Alyson Ward asks, “Day of the Dead: trendy or spiritual?”
My answer? Both.
Related on World Hum:
* When Tourists Attack
Photo by Jim Benning.
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
Ron Mader 11.01.06 | 1:37 PM ET
FYI - New pics from the Muertos celebration in Oaxaca City are online Planeta’s photo gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta
Aqui la eternidad empieza
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta/285849373
Casa Arnel altar
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta/285849336
Day of the Dead bread
http://www.flickr.com/photos/planeta/285849302
Tim 11.01.06 | 2:59 PM ET
If you follow this posting, at the end there’s a link to a travel forum on Planeta with postings from people who live in Oaxaca. Good for getting a view of what’s happening at ground level. It seems to vary quite a bit from week to week.
http://travel.booklocker.com/2006/10/13/the-real-deal-in-oaxaca/
TL
Jim 11.01.06 | 9:39 PM ET
Great links, guys. Thanks for pointing them out!