Today was parade day. After a late start and a wander around town to pick up some supplies we headed back to the hotel courtyard to meet up with the professional make up artists hired to help us create our look for this evening. The results were outstanding.
Oaxacas day of the dead parade bands include tubas, drums and saxophones – all blaring at top volume, combined with figures dressed in every imaginable costume – terrifying and otherwise – all jumping around on the spot – mezcal flowing freely 🙂
The band generally plays the same song over and over again, faster and faster until the parade starts to move to a different place and the crowd follows along. The process then repeats. Although some of the costumes are pretty scary, young children are everywhere, rapt in their attention and often posing with their favourite scary hero’s. We had a laugh when some tourists were taking photos of us – both groups realized what was going on, had a shot of mezcal and moved along with the evening.
After an hour of mezcal shots and jumping around (my knees may need to be replaced 🙂 we moved along to the next stopping point.
At this point even the dogs had taken to the roofs. Smart puppies!
About 2 hours into the evening the rains threatened and as many of us who could crammed into an outdoor covered porch just as the downpour started. Then something truly extraordinary happened. Parents dancing with children, rural couples dancing together, young courting couples dancing, crazy tourists jumping up and down with tubas blasting in their ears. Outside in the rain, parade participants were dancing like whirling dervishes. Absolutely magic.
Our trip back to the ground transport involved wading small lakes which had appeared since our arrival. Tomorrow is my last day here – i look forward to exploring some city landmarks and art galleries in this magic place. Stay tuned.
Travels with Anne 