Saturday, November 1, 2008

Today is a holiday!!

Today is one of the largest holidays in Guatemala and it is called, All Saints Day or Day of the Dead. It is a day of celebrating and enjoying food. Earlier this morning I went to the cemetery where families gather to place flowers, food and wreaths to remember their loved-ones. Everything is painted white in preparation and then decorated.


It was very crowded during the morning. Many of the stores and restaurants are closed for the day so everyone seems to be in the street. Many are blocked off to cars and only pedestrians can enter.


The streets are lined with all types of food......it is very much a circus environment outside of the commentary.


People are selling all types of flowers and wreaths in the streets leading into the cemetery.

It is a day that is special for kite flying. The belief is the kites help lead the souls of the dead back to the cemeteries and their families.

The fruits, vegetables, flowers and wreaths are colorful and add to the festive nature of the day.

Tomorrow I will post some of the kite flying...........good night.








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