No matter where you are in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a tradition that is celebrated in every corner of the country and although the essence is the same, the way of commemorating it varies in each region.
This year, Karla and I, both from the Alan por el Mundo team, had the opportunity to travel to the city of Oaxaca to learn how the Day of the Dead is celebrated.
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It was our first time in this city and we were both very excited because we were finally able to get to know it, since due to various circumstances we had not been able to.
The first day, after settling into our hotel, we went to the city center and visited the Benito Juárez market, an ideal place to buy sweets, mezcal, crafts, among much more; Later we went to the November 20 market to eat.
At the November 20 market we met with other travelers and enjoyed typical Oaxacan dishes in the María Alejandra dining room. For starters they gave us a plate to share, with jerky, enchilada cecina, chorizo and cheese. Afterwards Karla and I ordered a tlayuda, delicious! although we lacked the stomach to finish it because we didn’t expect it to be so big and well served; To drink we ordered Jamaica water and of course, the mezcal could not be missing.
After the good meal we went to the Jalatlaco neighborhood, a very picturesque and instagrammable place. Upon arrival we ran into two troupes, one was made up of small children and the other included high school students. We found out that that day, the schools were carrying out troupes very early, so throughout the city we could run into several.
In the parades, participants walk dressed as monsters with the goal that death does not find them and take them away.
After watching the parades pass by, we got lost in the streets of the neighborhood and came across several street art murals inspired by the Day of the Dead.
Night began to fall and we returned to the city center to admire the offerings and altars that had been placed in the zócalo. These represented the 16 cultures and the Afro-Mexican people of Oaxaca.
In addition, we toured the carpet that was located outside the National Palace and visited the Great Altar that was inside.
Dinner time arrived and we went to the Pitiona Restaurant, which has an interesting proposal in its dishes and some even play with the senses. In the next few days we will share a review with you!
We finished dinner and headed to the Municipal Pantheon of Atzompa, where we had the opportunity to see how the locals welcome their deceased.
Visiting the pantheon was an experience full of sensations and emotions; From the entrance you could smell the smell of copal and marigold flowers, the entire cemetery was full of candles and candles. The families gathered around the tombs, some continued filling them with candles, others took out the dishes they had prepared for dinner that night in the company of their deceased, there were also beers and mezcal.
Others just sat, thoughtful, in front of the grave of their loved one. In addition, in one part of the pantheon a stage was installed where a band played while the attendees danced. It was all a big party!
We ended that night with much to reflect on.
The second day we got ready to be part of the Most Lively Comparsa of All, which toured some of the main streets of the city to reach the Alameda de León. We painted ourselves as catrinas and headed to the Fountain of the Eight Regions, the starting point.
Upon arrival you could feel the festive atmosphere, everyone was ready to start the tour of the troupe, which was led by a group of “little bulls”, which would light up in various routes, and a giant skull that had the word Oaxaca, in front .
We started walking and people gathered on the sidewalks to see each of the members, most of them dressed as catrinas and skulls, but many others as monsters; There were also bands playing melodies accompanied by bass drums, cymbals, tubas, trumpets, among other instruments.
Everything was a party, and as we got closer to the destination, more travelers and locals could be seen.
We arrived at the Cathedral and in front of it a stage had been set up where a band was playing that welcomed each of the contingents that were part of the troupe.
Without a doubt this experience will remain stored in my memory.
On the third day, in the morning, we went to Zaachila, a town located approximately 45 minutes from the center of Oaxaca, where we visited its plaza, church and pantheon; Then we moved to the Former Convent of Santiago Apóstol de Cuilapam, a super photogenic place known for being the place where Vicente Guerrero was imprisoned and murdered.
This site is very worth visiting if you travel to Oaxaca, it is very instagrammable and is perfect for practicing contemplation and admiring its architecture.
We returned to Zaachila to eat at its gastronomic market and later returned to the center of Oaxaca to see the CATRINA performance, where she sang Alejandra Roblesan incredible Afro-Mexican singer.
CATRINA was a surprise, it was a show of live music, dancing and singing that amazed each of the attendees. One of the most magical moments was when, while Alejandra Robles was performing Amor Eterno, the light and sound went away; However, the band continued playing and although Alejandra could not be heard, the audience joined in with one voice to continue with the song. It was something spectacular!
We ended the night and our stay in Oaxaca with a big smile.
Without a doubt, this destination is ideal to experience the Day of the Dead, so if you have the opportunity to do it next year, do it! There are dozens of activities, and not only on November 1 and 2, from the day before you will find several things to do and visit and even during the rest of the month.
Oaxaca, I hope to see you again soon!
The post This is how the Day of the Dead was lived in Oaxaca first appeared on Alan x el Mundo.
The post This is how the Day of the Dead was lived in Oaxaca appeared first on Alan x el Mundo.
Source: https://alanxelmundo.com/asi-se-vivio-el-dia-de-muertos-en-oaxaca/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=asi-se-vivio-el-dia-de-muertos-en-oaxaca
