Tuesday, November 1, 2005--The Day of the Dead at Xoxocotlán

We don't know how many difuntos--the dead--returned to the cemeteries of Xoxocotlán last night, but we're pretty sure there were far more vivos--live visitors like us.

Despite the overwhelming number of visitors as the night went on, it was still an otherwordly scene, with hundreds of local families gathered around the lovingly decorated graves of family members who have died. The dark cemeteries, illuminated by thousands of candles, were like nothing else we've seen. It was well, well worth the visit.

Candlelit and flower-covered gravesites at the Panteón of Xoxocotlán

An altar at Xoxocotlán showing life and death side by side

Two young women depicting the same life-and-death theme

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