Celebrating the Day of the Dead in Sumpango
This week we had a family home evening activity instead of our usual family home evening. We chartered a bus and went with most of the senior missionaries, Elder Martino and his wife, and a couple of mission presidents and their wives. We went to Sumpango where they have huge, colorful kites that they fly to celebrate the Day of the Dead. It is a tradition that dates back more than 100 years. The kites being released represent the spirits of the dead being released. If it isn't a very windy day, not very many kites actually go up but they are beautiful and colorful to see. They are actually made out of paper and most of them are mounted on bamboo. They have competitions and it is great fun to see those in the youth category try to get their kites in the air.
A nice view with the volcano in the background
Our bus and a lot of senior missionaries huffing and puffing up the hill.
One of the few kites that actually got airborn!
It was fascinating to watch the young men put them together, glue and cut the paper and then try to get them up.
There was a great market, with lots of good things to eat (for the brave).
This the entrance to the Cemetery. They put our memorial day to shame. The cemetery is full of people painting the grave sites, planting flowers and trees and tending the gardens. It is a beautiful sight to see.
Our Mi Casa Girls finishing their ball field project of crushing bricks to make clay to spread on the field. They have been working on this project for months.
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6 comments:
Those kites remind me of some of dads colorful paintings he has done in the past. Sorry haven't checked your blog, for some reason it is not showing that there is anew blog post on my side bar. Great newsletter dad, as always. It is fun to hear your perspective and read your great words. We love you. Mom did you get Justin's spanish email?
Those kites are amazing. Do they actually get them in the air? That would be a pretty impressive feat for some of those huge ones. Glad you guys got to enjoy those traditions with the rest of the missionaries.
Those kites are gorgeous! Wow! Thanks for sharing all these pictures. It must have really been an experience in person.
Those kites are so beautiful! And I too was impressed with their cemeteries...they are so colorful with huge headstones! Its different than what we are used to.
Thank you for the birthday cards and for the halloween cards. We appreciate that you always remember us. The kids loved their cards. After Afton read her card, she spent a lot of time writing a card to you and then misplaced it that night. She was pretty disappointed. Hopefully we can find it and mail it off!
Wow, it looks like you are living someplace very exotic. I love the photos.
Those kites were incredible! Would have love to been there. Now that we have passports I want to visit. Too bad they didn't come with extra $. We did splurge so we could see you in Dec. looking forward to it. xoxo, Stephanie
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