DAY OF THE DEAD IN SUMPANGO, GUATEMALA

As I finish this blog, we are in Copan, Honduras, where we have visited the Mayan ruins, Macaw Mountain, a chocolate factory, a coffee plantation and explored this very cool town. Tomorrow we take the six hour bus ride back to the marina where the cruisers are preparing Thanksgiving dinner for the hotel/marina staff. Here are a few photos of Copan with more about this trip later.. 

Yes, the claws were more than a little uncomfortable on my follicley challenged head.

I can't remember if we planned it this way or not, but we wrapped up the dental stuff  in Guatemala City just in time to go to The Day of Dead Festival in Sumpango. Though Sumpango is only 30 or so minutes away from Guatemala City and we left at 6:30 AM, the traffic was so bad that it took us about two hours to get to there. It's a big deal for the locals, as well as what mostly seemed like Central American tourists.

 The Day of the Dead is a celebration that takes place throughout Latin America on the first and second day of November. It is a day when dead loved ones are remembered. The living celebrate that they were able to meet them and be part of their family. It is believed that the souls of all of the people that have passed away return to Earth to check up on their families during this day. A lot of people started in the Catholic church, moved to the streets and then the cemetery.

One of the most popular traditions among local Guatemalans on the Day of the Dead is to visit the grave sites of their loved ones. While some stick to putting flowers on the mausoleums and saying a prayer for the souls of the deceased, some families pack up all their food, put on their best clothing, and head over to the cemetery to spend the whole day and night visiting with those who have left. As the night comes, the cemeteries turn into big parties where the living eat, drink and dance with the dead.

The cloud topped mountain in the center of the photo is El Fuego. It isn't very far from Antigua and is extremely active. As a matter of fact, several hundred people were killed when it erupted a year ago last May. It's ash even covered Starship, which was docked at the marina over 150 miles away. 

These kids are flying kites from on top of the crypts.

This ring toss game for bundles of quetzales (the Guatemalan currency) was set up among the graves.

These kids were running the bathroom concession business. They charged two quetzales per visit. 

For a quarter US, you were given a hand full of tissues and a little privacy in the unisex bathroom. 

This lady was selling used toys form the US. We also see a lot of used clothing from the States, as well as big trucks. Some of the trucks still have their US State license plates.

Another popular tradition to honor the dead in Sumpango, and other places, is the Kite Festival. This one was on a hilltop soccer field. What makes Kite Festivals in Guatemala unique is the size of the kites. People spend all year long building them and coming up with the design, many of which are 40 feet or larger. The smaller kites (i.e., 10' diameter and less) are actually flown if there is enough wind, while the bigger ones are just for show and competition.

What is amazing to me is that kites aren't painted at all. They designs are created by selecting, cutting and gluing tissue papers.

There always seems to be plenty of security around.

Every so often this mortar would send a very loud explosive into the sky, which always surprised me.

We arrived to the kite festival just as they chose the Queen. That's her near the middle of the frame wearing the sash.

The village is pretty bland compared to the colorful cemetery, kites and clothing.

I guess these balls are made out of pig intestines.

After Sumpango we went to Anitgua. It's a 500+ year old Spanish colonial city. We were there last year for several days so only spent a couple hours this time.

Last year we never made it to this place that makes jade jewelry. It was pretty interesting.

Back in Guatemala City we had to board a little bus that took us from the old city center to the outskirts of town, where we got on a big air conditioned bus with assigned seating. Before boarding both buses, our bags were gone through and  I was frisked by an armed security guard.

After six hours on the bus we arrived back in Fronteras to catch a ride with the boat that takes the evening staff to the marina/hotel.

Our trip to Guatemala City was a good one, it included everything from getting great dental work, picking out a counter top, buying other stuff we can't get in Fronteras and seeing Day of the Dead festivities.