Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a huge celebration here in Mexico in which the dead are remembered and honored. The festivities began on Friday, October 29th and lasted until Tuesday, November 2nd. Monday and Tuesday were the official holidays, and there was no school. At the UNAM there was a display of "ofrendas" (offerings). During Dia de los Muertos, Mexicans put ofrendas in their houses specifically to honor or remember a loved one that has passed away. So, for example, if their deceased grandfather loved chocolate, they would most likely put chocolate in the oferenda. Every year, the ofrendas at the UNAM have a theme. This year's theme was the Revolution and Independence (because Mexico just celebrated their 200 year anniversary) and so all of the ofrendas were created to honor or remember heroes of the Mexican Revolution or Independence.
The beliefs of Dia de los Muertos come from Indigious practices and are therefore not related to any current day religious beliefs. Dia de los Muertos has become a very important tradition among the Mexican peoples and the entire city was decorated with skeletons, flowers, candies, and papel picado (paper decorations). There are also many parties, bands, games, and performances to celebrate the holiday.
Monse and me dancing along with some dancers doing Indigenous dances.
One of the ofrendas at night, with the UNAM's library in the background.
Taylor (the other "intern" from California) and me eating hot dogs Mexican-style (ketchup, mayonnaise, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, onion)
Some of the English Club students during our "tour" of the ofrendas at the UNAM.
Me with Alitzel.
There were Belly-Dancers for the occasion.
I tried my very first "Pan de Muertos" (the special bread made for the holiday).
By the end of the night we just couldn't have taking some silly pictures too!
Taylor and his new friend. :)
The climb was straight-up and rocky and took us about an hour and fifteen minutes. Needless to say, I got sweaty (see below).
The old Aztec Temple where they did sacrifices and worshiped.
The view of the city from the Temple was breathtaking.
There were also some sort of animal from the raccoon family that lives up there.
The Market of Tepotzlan.
The chicharron (fried pig skin) was HUGE and the food was delicious!
Monse and me dancing along with some dancers doing Indigenous dances.
One of the ofrendas at night, with the UNAM's library in the background.
Taylor (the other "intern" from California) and me eating hot dogs Mexican-style (ketchup, mayonnaise, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, onion)
Some of the English Club students during our "tour" of the ofrendas at the UNAM.
Me with Alitzel.
There were Belly-Dancers for the occasion.
I tried my very first "Pan de Muertos" (the special bread made for the holiday).
By the end of the night we just couldn't have taking some silly pictures too!
Taylor and his new friend. :)
Visiting some of the ofrendas at the UNAM.