Chapala Arrival on the Day of the Dead

Chapala ArrivalWe arrived in Chapala, Mexico on Sunday November 2nd, in time for the Day of the Dead celebration. Four blocks of the main street were closed off at the Lake Chapala end. We were tired from a 4 AM flight and two time change — daylight savings time and a time zone — but we just had to experience it.Fortified with a delicious meal, another delight of the country, we walked a few blocks to the main street. By the time we arrived the celebration was in full swing. Displays were setup, shoulder to shoulder, along both sides of the street. All the bars and restaurants were open as well as the church and the cultural centre. They also contained displays. The street was jammed with people, both participants and observers.
Almost every display had at least one person in costume and with their face painted. Many observers were taking the opportunity to pose for pictures with them. Laurie was clicking pictures at every display. She is an artist so you see She loves it when she can source for free.I had seen pictures of the Day of the Dead shrines, but it was great to see them up close. The typical displays had elements laid out on the ground and some type of elevated backstop. The ground covering consisted of thin strips of coloured paper, flowers, candles, and in some cases photographs all arranged in pattern like crosses and pathways.
My understanding was that the shrines were created by family members to celebrate the life of recently passed relatives and in many cases I believe that was the situation. It became apparent that not all the displays were of that nature. Either the celebrated individual was a relative from the past or they were famous people who the participant must have wanted to celebrate.I reached that conclusion when we came across a shrine dedicated to a person called Frida. I guess both Laurie and I were getting the same impression because she mentioned the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo de Rivera. As soon as she said it, I saw the resemblance in the painted face of the woman manning the display. To me she looked exactly like a Frida portrait.


I believe the city also got involved in the displays. There were a number of large costumed statues along the sidewalks and along the walkway by the lake. Close to evening there was a dance performance.




As evening settled and the light of the day slipped away, the candles in the displays were lit and the shrines took on a whole new perspective.


We walked back along the lake to our flat, happy to have experienced the Chapala Day of the Dead celebration, and please to be here. Exhausted by our early morning flight, we crawled into bed early, and slept like the dead, but without the costumes.

Buenas noches.