Alvin Starkman's Oaxaca

A Week After the Day of the Dead

By now, the Day of the Dead has long since come and gone.  Had I been reflecting this past week on the events of that evening?  Not really, just a little busy these days.

We spent another evening in Santa Maria Huatulco for the Day of the Dead.  This was my third one, and it seemed a little different this time around.  While it is always a very interesting evening, I could have gone without the guy on the loudspeaker announcing that he had cold cervezas in his tin cooler...kind of killed the mood a little.

For the most part, the evening seemed familiar to last year as we strolled down the candle light, cobbled street towards the cemetary.  Although I must admit, things certainly seemed a little more polished than last year.  Perhaps, an increase in tourists spurred what appeared to be a more organized  presentation.  What was really noticeable were the three large flood lights positioned inside the cemetary gates...and in actuality this probably helped everyone navigate the maze of gravestones that lay before them. Safety first!

The Return of The Day of the Dead

Today's post is by Sue McClam

It is not hard to tell what time of year it is here in Huatulco, Mexico.  Yesterday the zocalo was teaming with high school age kids.  It drew our attention so we stopped.  Each group of 8 students was busy making a tapetas de arena, a scene made of sand for the evening contest.  These beautifully crafted scenes depict age old symbols of death.  Dancing skeletons, laughing skulls, grave stones, crosses and the like decorated with the petals of compasúchil (marigold) flowers come alive with colored sand and a generous sprinkling of sparkles.  Each a work of art in itself, these tapetes will be left for passersby to see and admire.  I am told that throughout the weekend and ofrenda or altar contest will take place there too.  I have noticed altars at various public sites and at the kindergarten down the street.

New indigenous faces have appeared along the perimeter of the market selling everything necessary for creating an altar, public, or private.  The women have come down from the sierra to sell flowers, green ceramics, sugar skulls, and tombs, chocolate and the favorite food of those who have gone before us.  Tamales will be sold from carts in the street saving us the time and labor involved in making these traditional treats.  Already ornately decorated pan de muerto has begun to show up in the bakeries around town.

It is time to prepare to welcome back the souls of those we love who have left us.  The 31st marked the arrival of the agelitos, those children who died too early to have a chance at life.  Then on November 1st, the decorating and visiting of the graves in the cemetary began.  Flowers will be brought to adorn the freshly whitewashed pantheon (cemetary).  Family members will gather with copal incense, photographs, food, drink, flowers, and candles.  The night becomes magic as the souls and memories of those who we lost create a palpable presence.  Extra altars will be assembled with the specific intention to remember those who have passed on without a trace, no family or friend to mourn, but remembered just the same by the collective conscience of the community.

It is time to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

La Carrera Panamericana

The 2011 La Carrera Panamericana started this past Friday on it's circuitous course from Huatulco through the mountains and winding passes to Zacatecas.

The race has a long and storied history and first began in 1950 after the Mexican section of the Pan-American highway was completed.  The 9 stage, 6 day race was organized by the Mexican government and ran almost the entire distance of the Pan-American highway in Mexico,  spanning some 3,373kms.  The initial goal was to celebrate the completion of the highway and attract more international interest in business.  

For those that participated, and those in the know, La Carrera Panamericana was considered the most dangerous open road race of its kind anywhere in the world.  The premier event in 1950 was represented by all racers in just about every category of motorsport including: Formula One, sports cars, rally cars, stock cars, endurance racing, hill climbing, and drag cars.  However, many of the competitors were ordinary unsponsored citizens from the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere in the world.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana

The 2011 La Carrera Panamericana starts tomorrow in Huatulco!  More information to follow...in the mean time you can practice your Spanish by visiting their website at www.http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/historia/la-historia-de-la-carrera-panamericana

The Clean Beaches of Huatulco

It was a great day on Saturday, albeit an early one as the groups came in at 7:00am to clean all of Huatulco's gorgeous beaches.

I must admit upon first inspection, Playa Maguey (our designated beach) didn't really seem all that "dirty" but, as we combed our way through the sand the bottle caps, straws, plastics, glass, and even and old blue discarded umbrella became readily visible.  Having said that, the beaches here are really never that dirty compared to some other places that I have been.  Even the local fishermen got involved as they pulled on their snorkels and fins to search for any garbage in the ocean.

Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunrise Over La Bocana, Huatulco

I am pretty sure that this is one of those topics where it is difficult to choose a wrong answer.  Although for some, they definitely have a preference.