Friday 1st November 2013….Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!!!!

You know by now that saying the above on the first of the month will bring you good luck!!!

This is a huge weekend of celebrations in Mexico…the day of the Dead!!

 

 

At first glance, the Mexican custom of the Día de Muertos — the Day of the Dead — may sound much like the U.S. custom of Halloween. After all, the celebration traditionally starts at midnight the night of Oct. 31, and the festivities are abundant in images related to death.

But the customs have different origins, and their attitudes toward death are different: In the typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. But in the Día de Muertos, death — or at least the memories of those who have died — is something to be celebrated.

The Día de Muertos, which continues until Nov. 2, has become one of the biggest holidays in Mexico, and celebrations are becoming more common in areas of the United States with a large Hispanic population. Its origins are distinctly Mexican: During the time of the Aztecs, a monthlong summer celebration was overseen by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. After the Aztecs were conquered by Spain and Catholicism became the dominant religion, the customs became intertwined with the Christian commemoration of All Saints' Day on Nov. 1.

Specifics of the celebration vary with region, but one of the most common customs is the making of elaborate altars to welcome departed spirits home. Vigils are held, and families often go to cemeteries to fix up the graves of their departed relatives. Festivities also frequently include traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which can conceal a miniature skeleton.

 

So with it being Friday that means the big hike day…so all packed up

 

 

 

and decided this time to try to hike around the other side of the lake…have not done this before and I loaded up Little Blackie and away we went…..it was about a 20 minute ride

 

Unfortunately I could find a way to get around to the lake  so always plan B….some of the wild flowers on the roadside

I decided to take the gravel road through the big tunnel

and go to the little village where theis located.

This tree is one of the oldest and largest trees in Mexico…the village is small and lovely and I always wave and say hello to the people I pass….

See my green back pack!!!!

Some sights going through the village

 

OK Have a problem here I am running out of time.

I have to get showered and changed and go get Carolyn we have a dinner reservation then a live play and then walking through the main Jar din to see all the activities there…sooooooo…will post this now and tomorrow tell you about the rest of the hike and bike trip and also about the evening…..

Yashi Koshi!!!