Thursday, November 24, 2011

So its American Thanksgiving*.  I have much to be thankful for.  More than I could ever state.  First and foremost, for Karli.


November is quite the month for Karli and I.  We "met" in November, we were married in November thus we have lots to celebrate and have been doing so.

i am thankful that on our anniversary weekend away my wife wanted to cancel our dinner reservations at the "nice place" to go back to the incredible fish taco joint we happened upon the night before ... con champagne - que fancy.



* AKA thanksgiving to my American friends and family.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

If you are a lover of the variety of celebrations that take place at this time of year, and you have never been to Mexico for them, you really need to get that on your list.  Around these parts these celebrations last weeks and they truly know how to do this time of year right.  It involves the youngest children through to the very old - and indeed the long ago deceased; it involves celebration, dancing, spirituality, personal reflection and memories.  It is one of the most photogenic and beautiful holidays that i have ever witnessed.

As has been said many times before:  death, is Mexico's favorite toy.  I was moved last year when a colleague of mine who has many years experience working in the country said to a group of newer teachers  "Growing up where i did, i used to think that if i didn't smoke and wore my seatbelt in the car that death would never bother me, but Mexican's don't see it that way - they truly understand that its just another part of life."  Living the last two years in the heart* of the local celebration I have seen this to be true; even just tonight I was moved to watch some skeleton clad teens dance in remembrance of loved ones, not as a part of a show - but because they were remembering.  Nobel Prize-winning Mexican writer and poet Octavio Paz has famously quipped that Mexicans don't mind getting up close and personal with death; in fact, the Mexican "....chases after it [death], mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love."  Ironically, the Day of the Dead in Mexico is a celebration of life, an acknowledgement of death as a fact, and a culmination, of life (taken:  here).

Now, I do not claim to be an expert on dia de los muertos (but i'm fascinated and learning**), nor on Halloween (although I did try join a friend in trick or treating a couple days early in the hopes of scoring a little more candy one year) - but I can tell you quite simply that the cultural beauty that surrounds me is of a type that defies explanation, and that you should see one day.

Ok enough of fascinating and beautiful culture, what about the ongoing adventures of KOEm?  No worries they have been real busy this week...


throwback:
Looks like I missed documenting last year?
First Mexican Fiesta (quite a trip to see the difference in the kids!)
Ella's First Pumpkin (2008)
Ollie's First Pumpkin (carving) (2007)
2006, otro

notes:
*Vallarta is by no means the "heart" nowhere even close!  For that go to Pátzcuaro
** learning from 6 year olds at ASPV