Day of the Dead

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Palomas, Mexco and back to the Pink Store with Zeb and Soapy

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, and humans are back in Palomas, Mexico.   And that means we are going to the Pink Store.

The Pink Store

We love the Pink Store.   This is only our third time visiting, but we look forward to shopping and having lunch here.  And mom did promise that next trip to the Pink Store, she will get a better photo of the store.  It’s really not that dark and dreary there.   The most notable items are possibly the bigger than life statues for Day of the Dead celebrations.

Day of Dead statues

In Mexico, Day of the Dead is celebrated November 1 and November 2.   Many believe the spirits of deceased relatives return to their homes.   Death is not feared, but embraced as a part of human life.

Day of Dead

Here are more items for Day of the Dead.  We like the dogs on the bottom shelf.   Often the living will assemble an “ofrenta”, or memorial of items important to the deceased while they were alive.   But there are many more items at the Pink Store.

Huge selection of pottery

Many pottery items.   All of these are hand painted.

Pottery

We feel that the Pink Store offers some of the best Mexico has to offer.   The items here are of good quality and made in Mexico.   We like the hand blown glass.

Hand blown glass and silver jewelry

And of course, the silver jewelry is beautiful.

Glass vases

These glass vases are pretty also.   The dolls are so festive.

Dolls and a duck

Too bad we don’t have lots of empty shelves at home.   The sheets of papel picado, or cut paper, are really nice, with so much detail.

Colorful paper cutouts available

And who can resist the had painted pottery and ceramics figures?

So festive!

Not us.   We do a little shopping, then have lunch or dinner here at the Pink Store’s restaurant.   A day at the Pink Store is very enjoyable.   And we always seem to have several packages to carry across the international border to our waiting car.   We think you would also enjoy a day, or more, at the Pink Store in Palomas, Mexico.   That is just across the international border from Columbus, New Mexico.   And, the Pink Store and Palomas are not crowded.   You will feel welcome and be able to look and enjoy everything in this small Mexican town.

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Day of the Dead in Longmont, Colorado With Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck

Prepare for the spirits of your deceased relatives and friends to come back.   What?  November 1 and November 2 is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.   This Latin American holiday is gaining popularity in Colorado.   Many humans believe that the spirits of deceased relatives and friends will return on these two days, so preparations are made.   During this time, death is not feared, but embraced and incorporated into everyday life.   Skeletons are everywhere.   Sugar skulls are prevalent.   Ofrendas, or altars are filled with photos of the deceased person and some of his/her favorite things.   We drove to the Longmont Museum to view an exhibit.   These are the greeters.

Skeleton Greeters at Longmont Museum

Skeleton Greeters at Longmont Museum

Inside, we walk through the Arch of Compassion.

Arch of Compassion

Arch of Compassion

In Latin America, arches of marigolds are common.   Here we are invited to write a tribute to honor a loved one and place the paper in the arch.  Sugar skulls are popular.

Sugar Skulls

Sugar Skulls

This ofrenda is typical, including serving utensils and other favorite things.

Ofrenda

Ofrenda

We are impressed with these displays.   Each one was made for a particular human and we read tributes for the deceased human.   Skulls are everywhere.

Embracing death

Embracing death

This ofrenda is dedicated to all men and women who have served this country with honor and distinction.

To all that served their country

To all that served their country

This one remembers Miriam O’Leary, a cancer victim.

To Miriam O'Leary

To Miriam O’Leary

Day of the Dead is not just for Latin Americans.   An altar, or ofrenda to Lost Immigrants.

To Lost Immigrants

To Lost Immigrants

Here we remember teachers from the local high school.

High School teachers remembered

High School teachers remembered

Since mom used to teach in a different high school, this really got to her.   In June of this year, the United States suffered a terrible loss.  In Orlando, Florida 49 people lost their lives at a Nightclub.   This was the largest mass shooting loss in the United States.   Those victims are remembered here and their spirits welcomed back for a visit.

Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting victims. June 12, 2016

Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting victims. June 12, 2016

Look at this.

A skull in the flowers

A skull in the flowers

Even a skull in a flower arrangement.   This exhibit will be open through Saturday, November 5. On that Saturday, there will be entertainment and many activities.   We hope you visit Longmont Museum in Longmont, Colorado.   When you leave, be sure to stop at the gift shop.   Here is a sample of some great gifts and souvenirs.

Stop at the Gift Shop

Stop at the Gift Shop

Don’t wait too long to go.

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Day of the Dead

I, Zeb the Duck and Soapy Smith Duck, visited the Mexican Cultural Center on Leetsdale Drive in Denver.   We saw ofrentas.

A large ofrenta

A large ofrenta

This weekend is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.   People in Mexico and other parts of the world, welcome the returning spirits of deceased family members and friends.

Preparing for the spirit’s return, many people go to the cemeteries to be sure things are tidy there.   At home, the ofrenta is set up.

Preparing for returning spirits

Preparing for returning spirits

This is a tribute to the deceased. The ofrenta features the four elements of water, fire, wind and earth. Water is often placed in clay pitchers. Fire is represented by candles. The papel picado signifies the wind.  Earth is shown through food, usually bread called pan de muerto.

The ofrenta also has things that the deceased enjoyed during their life on earth.

Ofrenta for returning spirits

Ofrenta for returning spirits

Other food, other beverages, toys, cigars, tobacco, or cards are usually on the ofrenta. Sometimes photogaphs are displayed. There are bright flowers.

Ofrenta with skeleton person and flowers

Ofrenta with skeleton person and flowers

The cempasuchitl, a type of marigold that is native to Mexico is the dominant flower of this celebration. This tradition has been carried on for over 2500 years.   Some sources say almost 4000 years.   This is a very important holiday for many people.

We, Zeb and Soapy, really liked seeing the ofrentas.

Celebrating Day of the Dead

Celebrating Day of the Dead

The people are shown as skeletons. The people do not fear death.  It is a part of the cycle of life.

Decorations

Decorations

Typical decorations for this holiday include skeletons, particularly skulls.   They make sugar skulls, often with a person’s name on the skull.   This is a very festival holiday.

Day of the Dead is very festive holiday

Day of the Dead is very festive time

I hope you can see some events or decorations this weekend for the Day of the Dead holiday.

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The Pink Store in Palomas, Mexico

Mexico!  I just got back from Mexico.  Wow!  Zeb the duck is now an international traveler.

Zeb the Duck is in Mexico!

Zeb the Duck is in Mexico!

We spent a few hours in Palomas, Mexico last weekend.  Most of our purchases came from The Pink Store.  Let me tell you about this store.

But first, Palomas, Mexico is a border town in the state of Chihuahua.  It is across from Columbus, New Mexico, just south of Deming, New Mexico.  We drove to the border, parked on the US side and walked into Mexico.  So easy.  The Pink Store was recommended to us, and this is why.  The Pink Store is huge and has everything.

This skeleton lady was the first thing I saw.

She is just too thin

She is just too thin

A bit of a shock to me.  Mom said that Mexico’s Day of the Dead is Nov 1 and Nov 2.  The spirits of the deceased return and much celebrating occurs.  I saw lots of skeleton displays.

Skeleton stuff everywhere

Skeleton stuff everywhere

Everything seemed so festive.

A skeleton wedding

A skeleton wedding

I was amazed and loved it all.

Mexico produces much pottery and hand blown glass and it is beautiful.  These were displayed on a wall,

So festive!

So festive!

but many more are on shelves.   Some of my favorites are the dolls made from cornhusks.

Dolls and a duck

Dolls and a duck

Perhaps a duck on the shelf enhances the display.  I wanted to play with these piñatas.

Oh to be a human

Oh to be a human

Too bad I am not human.

We ate lunch at the Pancho Villa Restaurant in The Pink Store.  Excellent food and service.  So many choices.  A man played music while we ate.  He was nice, too.  Near the restaurant was a large bar.  Looking out the window at the The Pink Store Plaza I saw General Pershing and Pancho Villa shaking hands.  I joined them in the handshake.

I love a firm handshake

I love a firm handshake

In the plaza this wooden door caught my attention.

This is a wooden door

This is a wooden door

The carving on this door was magnificent.  Took lots of talent and time to carve this door.

This is just one section of the door. WOW!

This is just one section of the door. WOW!

Also love the peaceful feeling of a fountain.

Fountain in Pink Store Plaza

Fountain in Pink Store Plaza

I could have stayed all day at The Pink Store, discovering and shopping.  Mom bought vanilla, Kahlua and some other souvenirs.  Look at this site www.Palomasmexico.com to see more photos of the Pink Store.  I will tell you more about Palomas soon.