HOLIDAY GREETINGS 2018

Welcome to this holiday posting which is my "Holiday Greeting Card" to each and every one of you who read and follow this blog. The following are some of my favorite holiday images which I have collected over the years living in Mexico and other Latin American countries.

There is a real mix here and I hope you enjoy. With my sincere thanks for joining me this year and wishing you Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas) and Feliz Ano Nuevo (Happy New Year).

The Christmas tree on the Plaza de Armas in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

A Christmas display with the Virgin Mary in Antigua, Guatemala (love the tortillas on the comal).

Christmas stocking hanging on a palm tree on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

A little Miguelito with his bigote (mustache) in Antigua, Guatemala.

A Christmas tree built of poinsettias (Flor de Nochebuena in Spanish) is one of my favorites.

Three Kings Day procession during the holiday period in Cuenca, Ecuador.

Holiday pinatas hung on the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

                       

A donkey and a mule decked out for the holidays in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Another wonderful sparkling Christmas creation as seen in the creator's garage in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

One of my very favorite holiday images of a Christmas posada parade in Antigua, Guatemala.

Three Kings Day (a.k.a. Epiphany) in Cuenca, Ecuador. Don't you love the Christmas finery.

A Christmas tree of poinsettias (Flor de Nochebuena in Spanish) in the zocalo of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Santa Claus making his escape after delivering his packages in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

A beautifully adorned horse for the Three Kings Day procession in Cuenca, Ecuador.

One of our local "chicken" buses decked out for Christmas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tis the season. Ho, ho, ho!  

Taking a break from the Christmas festivities in Oaxaca City, Mexico with Lobo and our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.

A vibrant red framboyan tree sets off a view of Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico which says holiday time for me.

What creativity for a ten year old! Congratulations to Daniel in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for this beautiful Christmas painting.

Wishing you wonderful holidays and a happy new year and looking forward to seeing you soon in 2019.

A “NON-BLOG” POSTING FOR THE “LOW SEASON”

It’s that time of the year in Puerto Vallarta, México when it’s hot, hot, hot! And did I mention humid! This time of the year is currently referred to as the “Low Season," but it was formerly known as the “Off Season." Since "Off Season" did not sound especially appealing to those in charge of promoting more visitors to the area it was modified to the current "Low Season."   I for one would have been just as happy if they had left it alone as the "Off Season"! 

Low season is when you can have the beach, the pool, and your Kindle pretty much to yourself!  


"Low Season" runs from May to the beginning of November, mas o menos, and is our favorite season. It is when we feel a real connection with nature and with the people of the area. We also refer to it as the “Quiet Season” even when the not-so-quiet-fun-loving Mexican nationals arrive for their annual summer vacations in the months of July and August. We are definitely an oddity in this regard since most visitors and winter regulars prefer the “High Season” when the weather is milder and when there is a lot of “gringo” social activity.

Nationals enjoying the low season before their amigos arrive in July and August for fun in the sun! 

This time of the year is when we go out early in the mornings to do our errands in order to be home by mid-day for a quiet siesta. The afternoons are when you come out of “hiding” in order to enjoy the “relatively” cooler temperature. Your reward for this lifestyle includes incredibly gorgeous sunsets and dramatic tropical rainstorms in the evenings. Life is very simple during the “Low/Quiet/Off Season” and is based on the rhythms of nature. 

When "bonding" with a Luna jellyfish is excitement during the quiet season.

Oh, no!  Another incredibly beautiful sunset during the low season.


So in honor of this time of the year I have decided to post this “Non-Blog” posting. What that means is that this posting will have minimal text (what you are reading is what you are getting), but heavy on the visual with a collection of some of my favorite photographs taken at this time of the year. The following is the link to my “LOW SEASON” photo album.  I hope you enjoy!

PV "LOW SEASON" PHOTO ALBUM

Don't be shy! Us bloggers love receiving questions, comments, or suggestions. Until next time, safe trails and happy travels. And thank you so much for joining me. Laura

AND FOR THOSE OF US WHO NEED A SIMPLE REMINDER OF WHAT THIS BLOGGING "BIZ" IS ALL ABOUT:

Definitions of BLOG (bläɡ):

*Noun: a regularly updated website or web page that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also: the contents of such a site.

*A blog (the shortening of the expression weblog) is a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web (WWW) or the “Web” consisting of entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appearing first).

*Verb: (used without object), blogged, blogging to maintain or add new entries to a blog.

*Verb: (used with object), blogged, blogging to express or write about on a blog.

Defining what a Blog is all about can leave you feeling and looking a little frazzled!

I MADONNARI STREET ART FESTIVAL PUERTO VALLARTA

The 13th I Madonnari Street Art Festival took place in Puerto Vallarta at the city’s Main Plaza this weekend. This colorful event brings together a variety of local and visiting artists to express themselves using chalk or pastels and it is definitely one of my favorite events of the year. The following will give you a background on what this wonderful annual event is all about and some photographs of the wonderful street art.

Street art chalk artists are most commonly called Madonnari (Madonna in Italian) because they originally created images of Mother Mary, the Madonna, either alone or with her child Jesus, in Italy.

The Italian Madonnari have been traced to the sixteenth century. They were itinerant artists many of whom had been brought into the cities to work on the huge cathedrals. When the work was completed they needed another way to make a living and consequently would often recreate the paintings from the church onto the pavement.

Aware of festivals and holy days held in each province and town these artists traveled to join in the festivities and to make a living from observers who would throw coins if they approved of the artist's work.

For centuries many Madonnari were folk artists reproducing simple images with crude materials such as tiles, coal, and chalk. Some artists such as El Greco would go on to become well known names.

























The origins of modern street painting can be traced to Great Britain. Pavement artists were found all over the United Kingdom and by 1890 it was estimated that more than 500 artists were making a full-time living from pavement art in London alone.

The British term for pavement artist is "screever.” The term is derived from the writing style that typically accompanied the works of pavement artists since the 1700s. The term ‘screever’ is most commonly cited as Shakespearean slang dating from around 1500.

The works of screevers often were accompanied by poems and proverbs, lessons on morality, and political commentary on current events. They appealed to both the working people who on the whole could not read or write, but understood visual images, and to the educated members of the middle-classes who appreciated the moral lessons and comments.

It was important for a screever to catch the eye of the “well to do” and in turn attract the pennies donated for their efforts. The first recorded street-painting competition and festival was held in London in 1906.

Madonnari artists were the visual arts equivalent of busking (playing music or otherwise performing for voluntary donations in the street or in subways) and the tradition continued until World War II when for obvious reasons it became impractical to sit in the middle of a street and create art.

After the war, the art of the Madonnari languished, but before it could die out completely a group in the city of Curtatone, Italy decided to revive it. The first I Madonnari festival in Curtatone was held in 1973 with some of the prewar Madonnari among the participating artists.

That was the catalyst for a new generation of "street painters" who traveled from city to city, and festival to festival, creating chalk artwork that hardly lasted longer than the handful of days required to make them.

I find it fascinating to watch the artists creating their amazing work on the Plaza de las Armas in Puerto Vallarta.  And in spite of the warm tropical sun and having people looking over their shoulders they remain focused on their creations. Simply inspirational!

I hope you have the opportunity of visiting the I Madonnari Street Art Festival in Puerto Vallarta which is an annual event held each November.

Until then, you may check out more of the Madonnari street art in my photograph album at the following link:

MONDANNARI FESTIVAL PHOTO ALBUM

With my thanks for joining me at Mexico and Beyond:  Laura's Photo Journey and wishing you well wherever your travels take you.  Saludos, Laura

                               And remember, a memory is only a click away!

DAY OF THE DEAD (DIA DE LOS MUERTOS) 2018

It's that time of the year again when I share my favorite holiday in Mexico which is the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) festivities. I consider this national festival so very special that this is my fifth consecutive blog posting covering this annual tradition. This year I will also be including the giant "Catrinas" that made their appearance on the Puerto Vallarta malecon last year for the first time. So let's refresh our memories as to what Day of the Dead is all about and what customs are associated with it.

The origins of the Dia de Muertos are rooted in Mesoamerican culture and possibly Aztec festivals that celebrated the goddess Mictecacihuatl. Like the memory of a loved one that never fades, Dia de Los Muertos also survives. It may change and evolve, but it has never vanished. The Spaniards soon realized this when they arrived in central Mexico in the 16th century. They viewed the ritual which was started by the Aztecs some 300 years ago as sacrilegious.

The Aztec Empire's influence extended throughout present-day Mexico and Central America. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died and to help support their spiritual journey. In 2008, the traditions of this national holiday was inscribed in the UNESCO INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE LISTS

Day of the Dead celebrations run from October 31st though November 2nd each year coinciding with the similar Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. November 1st is referred to as Dia de los Inocentes or Angelitos (Day of the Innocents or Little Angels) and is reserved for honoring deceased children while November 2nd is for deceased adults. While the idea of celebrating death might seem morbid in many societies in Mexico it’s quite the opposite. Death is not considered the end, but a new beginning.

The following traditions are also associated with the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. All of them are unique and wonderful.

La Catrina 

This "video" creation was made from photographs taken on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta last year of larger than life "Catrinas." I am hoping she will return for an encore appearance this year. I found her story and history so fascinating that I wrote a separate blog posting two years ago which I invite you to enjoy at the following link:  LA CATRINA OF DAY OF THE DEAD FAME

Constructing Altars

The construction of altars is perhaps the principal custom of this longstanding celebration. Often decorated in vibrant oranges and purples before being piled high with ofrendas (offerings) such as candles, flowers, and personal possessions, these altares (altars) are generally more private affairs that are built at home.

However, in many communities such as Patzcuaro, Michoacan families construct them right at the graveside of the deceased. Nowadays altars are also prepared in most public buildings. The planning can often take months, but the results can be spectacular.

Altars are usually decorated with flowers, candles, pan de muerto, ceramic skulls, and most importantly pictures of loved ones. Food placed on the altar consists of the deceased favorite dishes and treats. Drinks are also placed in the altar to quench the thirst of the dead from their long journey back home. Isn't this simply wonderful!

Making Ofrendas (offerings) to the Dead

This custom goes hand-in-hand with the construction of the emblematic altars as families select a variety of ofrendas (offerings) which they believe encourage the deceased to return home and hear the prayers of their loved ones.

On November 1 (Día de los Inocentes) deceased children are offered toys and sweets while on November 2nd deceased adults are offered alcohol, cigarettes, and other favorite items including Mexican pan de muerto (sweet bread).

Using Cempasuchiles (Mexican marigolds)

While the flower named cempasuchil (Mexican marigold) is also known as flor de muerto (flower of death) it is worth mentioning in its own right. Mexicans believe that this flower helps guide their loved one’s soul back to the world of the living. Since this flower blooms only during the rainy season which precedes the Day of the Dead festival it has now become heavily and primarily associated with the festivities.

Sugar Skulls

This is a favorite photograph which is a real life painted "sugar skull" face and I think spectacular.

The term "sugar skull" actually comes from the Mexican Day of the Dead festivities and is perhaps the most globally emblematic symbol of both the holiday and Mexico in general. Sugar skulls represent a departed soul with the name written on the forehead and was placed on the home altar or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit.

Sugar skulls reflect the folk art style of big happy smiles with colorful icing and sparkly tin and glittery adornments. The reason they are called “sugar skulls” is because the authentic sugar skulls were made out of clay molded sugar, decorated with feathers, colored beads, foils, and icing.

Holding Graveside Vigils

Although some stay at home on the night of November 1st and the early hours of November 2nd holding graveside vigils is still common in many Mexican communities and is most definitely one of this celebration’s most iconic traditions. People go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed where they build private altars containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed.

The intent is to encourage visits by the souls in order that the departed will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. Another Day of the Dead tradition which I really like!

Eating Pan de Muerto

Another common tradition during the Day of the Dead period is the consumption of pan de muerto (bread of the dead). Fortunately this bread is not made from dead people irregardless of its name. It is actually a lightly orange flavored sweet bread which has skeleton bone-like decorations on top and which is covered with a healthy coating of sugar.

Cleaning and Decorating Graves

Although not all families can honor their loved ones at the cemetery itself, the tradition of cleaning the grave is still respected by most. This task usually includes cleaning up the area surrounding the headstone and leaving cempasuchil flowers.
A complete altar is often constructed here also. Graveyards during the Day of the Dead celebrations, contrary to what might be expected, actually take on the atmosphere of a festive social gathering.

Displays of Calacas

If you look closely at the female calaca you will notice a baby bump!

A calaca (a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure usually used for decoration during the Day of the Dead festival. As with other aspects of this national festival, calacas are generally depicted as joyous rather than mournful figures. They are often shown wearing festive clothing, dancing, and playing musical instruments to indicate a happy afterlife.

Calacas also reflect the Mexican belief that no dead soul likes to be thought of sadly and that death should be an occasion for fond memories. This goes back to Aztec beliefs, one of the few traditions to remain after the Spanish conquest.

Sharing of Memories

And last, but not least, one of the most interesting of customs that takes place during the Day of the Dead festivities is the sharing of amusing anecdotes and memories about the deceased.

The fondness for telling funny tales ultimately comes from the believ that the deceased would rather not be remembered somberly, but cheerfully. This is a tradition often excluded from popular culture because of the highly intimate nature of it, but it is representative of the wide respect for oral traditions in Mexican culture. And I say bravo!

In my opinion some of the best places to enjoy the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico include the following: The island of Janitzio in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Chiapas, Yucatan, and of course, grandiose Mexico City.

For a fantastic video experience go to the following YouTube link and feel as though you are in Mexico City for the annual Day of Dead parade. Casting it to your television is definitely a fun experience.

  https://youtu.be/s03H9XQjH40

The larger than life Catrinas who made their debut on Puerto Vallarta's malecon (boardwalk) last year for the Day of the Dead celebrations sincerely appreciate your visit and look forward to seeing you again next year for the annual Day of Dead celebrations.

In closing, this link will take you to my DAY OF THE DEAD BLOG POSTING 2017 which links to my Day of the Dead postings for 2014, 2015, and 2016 in case you would like to learn and enjoy more of this amazing tradition and holiday.

With their best regards from Puerto Vallarta, the Catrinas of the Day of the Dead celebrations. 

    

                        
It's been a pleasure having you join me for the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico for 2018 and I look forward to your company next year for more of this amazing festival. Until then, wishing you safe travels and adventures where ever they may take you.  Saludos,  Laura