Day of the Dead, as we all know, is Mexico’s way of remembering and honoring those missing from our lives, much like Postman’s Day on November 12 (Dia del Cartero).
And of course families gather at gravesides to dine with the departed. Although I never understood why this continues year after year, when it is clear that the guest of honor (the deceased) has hardly touched their fish tacos. But what makes this holiday so special is that it defines Mexico’s character of positive thinking, that no one truly leaves the family and this notion of death is a time of fiesta. Guadalajara has again for a second year opened the world’s first Day of the Dead theme park, Calaverandia, to provide visitors with a colorful and immersive experience with which to celebrate Mexico’s most famous holiday. It apparently has an “interactive cemetery ... and a trip through the underworld.” Is it just me or do you also feel that maybe a cemetery shouldn’t be “interactive?” (Note: Mexico has been asked to create a Calaverandia next year in Los Angeles. Move over Mickey Mouse, here comes Katrina.)
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