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| Pink-haired rock stars and pretty devils |
It’s the time of year when devils, skeletal Catrinas, pink-haired rock stars and hobgoblins make an appearance in a witches’ brew of celebrations and traditions; the Mexican Día de Los Muertos, combined with our North American Halloween, and the very spiritual Mayan celebration of Hanal Pixán.
It’s a
fascinating time of year to be in Mexico.
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| Recent breakfast at the Naval Officers' Club |
October is also when the current Navy Commodore’s
wife hosts the annual costume-party breakfast at the Officers’ Club on Medina
Avenue. Doña Olivia, along with her right-hand
person, Susana Olvera, did an outstanding job this year.
The monthly breakfast event is an important
fundraiser that helps purchase equipment and furnishings for the Navy hospital
on Isla Mujeres.
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| Minnie Mouse |
It’s a fun time to
visit with seldom-seen friends and make new acquaintances. Then breakfast is served, raffle prizes
drawn, and sometimes a version of flash-card bingo is played. The Gringa population informally refers to
the event as The Navy Wives’ Breakfast because the longer Spanish name is a
mouthful of difficult consonants and unfamiliar words.
This year, Minnie Mouse put in an appearance at the
costume party. Wearing oversized yellow
shoes, she stumbled her way to the door. Peering through eye-holes in the giant head, she was greeted by scary
hunchbacks, devils, and the Scream Ghostface man. The room was jammed. Everyone participated in the crazy fun by
wearing costumes and disguises. A huge
amount of effort had gone into the decorations, with black and orange balloons, tablecloths, napkins, Halloween-themed food, and a pumpkin-faced cake.
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| Mariachi band - ten musicians |
There was a short video presentation showing the items at the hospital purchased in the past year through the women's fundraising efforts.
Then a
ten-person mariachi band played some great tunes, and the door prizes were
drawn.
At our table of fourteen women,
islander Gail Stewart was the lucky one to win a prize.
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| Our table at breakfast. |
If any of your island friends ask if you would like to go to the Navy Wives’ Breakfast, say Si! You will have a fun time and contribute to the island.
Sue McDonald Lo is a great source for information and tickets.
Sue McDonald Lo is a great source for information and tickets.
Minnie Mouse is already planning her costume for next October!
As for the rest of the witches’ brew of traditions, the city is hosting several events to draw visitors into the local celebrations.
Friday, October 30th,
is the Paseo de las Ánimas – the Parade of the Souls, starting around 6:00 in
the evening at the older cemetery in Centro and finishing at the recently
completed Casa de la Cultura – Cultural Center.
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| Altars - Photo Naranja Dulce |
On Saturday, October 31st, in the square at
city hall, there will be a mix of traditions: the judging of Halloween-style
costumes for children, and the building of beautiful altars for the Mayan Hanal
Pixán celebrations.
The altars are
traditionally decorated with candles, candy skulls, bright yellow Marigold
petals, favourite foods and photographs of the deceased's loved ones. The Municipality of Isla Mujeres has, until
recently, been very low-key on this important celebration, preferring to let the
families privately honour their deceased loved ones.
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| San Miguel de Allende |
Yet a part of me thinks this should remain a private family event, not a tourist attraction. Still, it is a fascinating time of the year to be in Mexico.
Cheers from paradise!
Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas
Or
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2 comments:
As always, a wonderful, weekly treat! Thriled to get my name and picture included! Was so much fun aving breakfast with you and I think you and Minnie are troopers!!!
Thanks Gail. Now if I could just stop Minnie from photo-bombing other people's pictures ...... she can be such a brat at times. Cheers L
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