Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween from Oaxaca

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
tina_winterlik@yahoo.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

So I didn't know they celebrated Halloween in Oaxaca. I always thought it was just Dia de Los Muertos. But we found out tonight they definitely do celebrate it and actually I think they may be better at it than us.

The day started a little craZy. We got in a collectivo heading to Pochutla but going around a corner a big bus and the taxi collided. It was weird, it was all slow mo and I was like just not believing it was happening. The taxi was stuck at first and couldn't go, then the bus move a bit and it took off. The taxi turned around and started chasing it with us in it. I started yelling saying to stop because I paid for tix to Oaxaca and we needed to go right now. So he stopped and we got another collectivo taxi and got to town on time as all went well.

We had a good ride to Oaxaca. Angel didn't get sick, she was very nervous as it is a very windy trip and last time it was really hot but this time was much different. The mountains were so pretty and it's cold up there. There were tons of flowers everywhere, patches of marigolds and then blue, pink and purple flowers. Plus all the pine trees and others are lush green. It was really spectacular.

Anyways we arrived safely and decided to walk to the hotel as it was close. As we came upon our familar street it was filled with flowers pink and orange and the pungent aroma of copal was everywhere. I almost started crying, it was so beautiful and it was everything I dreamed of.

Angel wanted pizza, so I decided to treat her. As we were crossing the Zocalo, all these people came around the corner all dressed up. It was great timing. And even though it had started to rain, nobody cared and everyone was having a great time.

While we were having pizza another big group came by with stilt walkers and it was really fabulous.
I made a video so you can see for yourself.


On the way home we stopped an bought chocolate skulls. Yummy!
Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012



and looked at all the other treats.  I bought a holder for charcoal and to put the copal in. This is for the altar that I am going to make tomorrow. You make an altar for the people you loved that have passed on. You place their favourite foods around it and photos and things they liked.

Anyways, I ran out and got us a cup of hot chocolate and it comes with Pan de Muerto for only 15 pesos. Less than a $1.50. So we enjoyed a delicious cup of Oaxaca chocolate.

Now my video is up so I'm going to share it with you and head off to bed. Have a great night everyone.
Hope you had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!