Here is the altar table I mentioned in my last post that was prominently placed at the entrance to the main vendors section at the Feria Maestros del Arte event. I was told that one of the artist's children hand-lettered the pink chairs, each with the name of one of the murdered students. Below is a picture of one of my favorite things seen there - a unique chess set. Each piece was handmade, of course, with great detail. My son is an excellent chess player and it would have been fun to get this for him, however he has a new baby and no time to play these days. Besides, this is such a special set I'd be afraid to actually use it, wouldn't you?

Over Thanksgiving week we had friends visit us here. Although I should've remembered how crazy and loud that week is in Ajijic, I didn't. In general there are fiestas almost continuously from that week until the end of the year, although if you are in town - that's the one. It is the week that the residents of Ajijic pay tribute to their patron saint, San Andres (St. Andrew, patron saint to fishermen). Difficult to believe now, as the lake is so low compared to many years ago, but fishing in Lake Chapala was a huge "industry". Although it is still done now, the lake will never be what it was those many years ago.

To continue with this thread, see my next post. San Andres fiesta week was calamatous in some ways, but also great fun for us and our visitors. My larger photos seem to cut short the amount of space I can use each time for a post. I'll make that sacrifice for the larger, more detailed pics!

Entrance to Day of the Dead altar displays

Pancho Villa altar with live impersonator

The largest local showing of Dia de Los Muertos altars on Nov 2nd was in Chapala. According to the Guadalajara Reporter, there were over 70 altars there on display, and it took over a good portion of the main thoroughfare in town. There were altars for local performers, founding fathers, historical figures and internationally known musicians as well as well-loved local patriarch and matriach family figures and for some who lost their lives early due to unfortunate circumstances. My guess is that there were a couple thousand people in the area for this event, with perhaps only about 100 of them Gringos.

Another place I saw a distictive altar for the Dia de los Muertos celebration was at the Feria Maestros del Arte. In my next post I'll have the photo of a table set up at that event to commemorate the deaths of 43 students in Guererro. President Pena Nieto has come under fire for his lack of effectiveness in dealing with the tragedy which spurred thousands to march in many cities in Mexico and elsewhere. The similarities to marches happening in the US at this time are notable. All of these have been spurred by murders of people (many of them children or young people) at the hands of, or with the help of, those in positions that are expected to be protectors. In the case of the Mexican students, there is a great deal of evidence that points to the mayor of the town where their school is providing assistance to drug cartel members to allow the mass-killing to occur.

Catrina with a dog

Vampire princess at our door

Catrina with bird cages

Evil clown catrina

La Rueda catrina

I had so many wonderful pictures from the last few weeks that they will be the main focus of this post.The little girl in the upper left hand photo is a neighbor, and is really "in the moment", I think. The Mexican kids have finally embraced Halloween as the beginning of the Dia de los Muertos celebration that runs through Nov 2nd. Kind of like I imagine it was when Santa Claus was added to Christmas many years ago, you know? When we first started visiting the area 9 yrs ago they didn't know what it was. Now they go door to door saying the Spanish equivalent of "Give me Halloween" and know they will get dulces (sweets) in return.

The remainder of the images are from a display in Chapala of many catrinas along the malecon (the walkway by the lake) and throughout part of Chapala centro. I had a couple more photos from the Dia de los Muertos festival that I will have to post separately. It was a huge celebration.