The real Day of the dead

So on November 1st and 2nd the Mexican celebrate the day of the dead, which is basically a day to remember your dead relatives. Its not a sad day though, its more of a party, a celebration of them and where they are now.

On the second we went and visited some traditional Mayan Towns. The most interesting of which was Chimula.

This is one of the only towns that missionaries didn't manage to infiltrate and convert to Christianity. They came and built a church but nobody would come and visit it so the priest left.

After he left the people began using it for their own Mayan rituals. Unfortunately the folks there do not allow you to take photos, (they believe your stealing a piece of their soul). So I had to sneak some from afar.

But inside the church is no seats, just pine needles all over the floor and tons of idols with candles burning in front of them. The people also believe that if you are sick, you can sacrifice a chicken in there and it will cure you!

The graveyard in Chimula was also quite cool, they were all decorated for the festival.
The graveyard was a bit tricky to walk around, the graves were right next to each other and head to toe. You couldn't help but walk on peoples graves.

We were there a little to early in the day for the festivities, most people hang with their family until the afternoon, so when we got back to San Cristobel we hit the cemetery there for a stickybeak. There was some action going on there, the road to the graveyard was packed with stalls selling flowers, decorations, food and drinks.


When we got in there it was packed.
It was the most impressive graveyard I had ever seen, the graves were better than most of the houses in town.


I want to be buried in one of these when I die.We didn't want to intrude and take too many photos but there were families having picnics all over their family's graves. There was a mariachi band every so often too.
I never thought I'd see a cocktail vendor in a graveyard.
He must have been busy too cause there were quite a few guys there that were smashed. One old guy couldn't hardly stand up.

Around town too, they were celebrating. There were a ton more alters set up in the town hall.
They love to pay tribute to Frida Kahlo.

Even the Zapatistas had one.


At night the kids all parade through the streets all dressed up, these kids were all following a car that was blasting out thriller. Yes that machete that the 10 year old is holding is real.
Not to be outdone, we celebrated by visiting the steakhouse! All you can eat steak for $12!
They just kept bringing me a new plate as soon as I finished the last. Its not as good as it sounds though cause I think I over did it. I haven't had a steak since!