Today was Sunday, and Sunday around here is birria day. Abuela was not having birria at her casa today because she will be at the Panteon serving it up to everyone coming to visit the graves of their ancestors. Dia de Muertos is actually a week long celebration with the last day for visiting the graves of loved ones. They bring many flowers and food to the graves and sometimes have a family feast there. Anyway, we went to have taco's with Abuela.
After some yummy taco's, we asked if we could see Abuela's husbands grave. Rapheal passed away a couple years before we started coming to Mexico so we never met him. We were given a tour up to his grave. The Panteon is built on the side of a hill so there is a lot of climbing to do.
This site is made in such a way that there can be numerous bodies buried on top of each other. I think she said this site can have 6 people buried here. I think only Abuela's husband is buried here.
People go to great lengths to make the graves very nice. This site had a couch and table and was 2 floors. It was spotless inside. The family gave us a tour and told us about their family history that was buried there. The floor lifts up and the tombs are under the floor.
Then there are some sites that are just holes in the ground waiting for someone to use them. Normally there is room for 3 or 4 bodies below ground and a couple above ground in each site.
Flowers are everywhere as the families arrive and bring them. Colour is important in the Mexican culture.
It was fun to learn some more of the local culture. After a long day at the Panteon, the people head down town to eat and drink and have fun. I went down to Kenia's but she was very busy so I didn't get a chance to visit with her.
We did almost witness a sunset today, but at the last minute some clouds moved in front of the sun. It was a good day. Good Nite!!
What an interesting custom. I think you are fortunate to be granted the privilege of this visitation.
ReplyDeleteDeb