Día de los Muertos

We really like Patzcuaro, and have visited literally dozens of times, but.....

Dia de los Muertos there is HUGE! Three years ago driving down, we were delayed and arrived in Patzcuaro on October 30. The RV park was two miles out of town, and it was gridlock for a mile before the park. It took us over an hour to make the last mile. Realizing what we were in for, we headed into town early, 9 am, on the combi, knowing nothing would open before 10. Good thing we did. An hour later, gridlock again.

It is more of a performance in Patzcuaro and surrounding towns than a celebration. The cemeteries are amazingly decorated, but largely for the tourists, not for the families. Tours of the cemeteries at night are very popular, and there is absolutely no privacy for the families visiting and sharing with their departed ones. Yes, it's amazing to see, but is it what it's really all about? Not in our opinions. We really enjoyed being in Patzcuaro a couple of days after when the marigold displays are still around and drying. There were still a number of altars still up, and no crowds. The crowds are absolutely insane. If you are planning to go this year, it might already be too late to get a place to stay.

The marigold show is absolutely amazing! The native marigold has a small flower, but will easily grow up to 5 feet in height and be totally orange with blossoms. The hills from about Guadalajara to part way down the mountain from Patzcuaro on the way here turn orange. It is quite a site.

Here, like in most places, it's a happy time, filled with good memories, good food and drink to share with the departed. A time to clean the burial site and buy new plastic wreaths and flowers. Go to the burial site and talk to the departed, remember the good times. Many homes, including ours, have an altar set up. The street behind the mercado is closed off and there are loads of stalls selling flowers, real and plastic, skulls, that kind of thing.

Us? We'll celebrate here and remember with joy those that we have lost, both human and animal.