Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead in Mexico, unlike the American over the top celebration of Halloween (of which I have been and enthusiastic participant) has considerable religious significance. It begins on the night of October 31st and continues through Nov. 2, celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day respectively. Many Mexican families erect altars to the dead in their homes and in cemeteries.  These altars include ofrendas, offerings of favorite food and drinks for the departed when they return to visit their loved ones. They also have many candles and orange and purple flowers. Traditionally Nov. 1st is the day families await the return of dead children, los angelitos, and there may be sweets and toys on those altars.

Most of my information came from the Baja Citizen, a local newspaper for the English speaking residents.
One of the joys of this journey is learning about different (and yet, not so very different) peoples.  The Mexican people of our experience are warm, generous and very  tolerant of our communication skills and quite excited when we order breakfast in Spanish and they actually understand us!