Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

I had hoped to participate in Stephanie of Rodrigvitz Style's Dia de Bloglandia blogging tribute to Dia de Los Muertos again this year but wasn't sure if I'd be home to put up my own ofrenda, much less have time to blog about it. Thanks to an unexpected twist of plans, I didn't put up my own altar, but I did enjoy the afternoon at a live (or would that be dead?) celebration for Dia de Los Muertos in Old Town San Diego. If I can get this blog up, albeit late, I'm hoping I can share some photos of it with the rest of the bloglandia travelers and celebrants today.





Lots of papel picado, paper streamers, everywhere.




In pretty pastels...




...and vibrant brights!




Those blue flags are competing with a brilliant blue sky. It was so weird coming from the cold and autumn colors of Susanville to the heat and brilliant summer sun of San Diego.




There was a lot of dancing. Both onstage...




.... and on the sidelines.




I liked this fountain but I'm not sure how I feel about cats spitting into my water. Hmmm.




There was color everywhere. Particularly inside the many shops. Unfortunately, "little miss impatient grabby fingers" made it easier to view the outdoor decor. Like this pretty grouping of succulents, and flowers both real and paper.




Most of the ofrendas were inside as well, so we didn't get to see a lot of those. These people kindly put this beautiful altar to Kahlo outside for us.




And the restaurant on the plaza where we lunched had set up a lovely display as well with information about the history and aspects of the altar for the many visitors.




We stopped to climb a few trees. Joli explained "I'm a fairy princess but I'm a strong princess so I can climb trees." Then she added "Strong, but also careful."




La Catrina and her gentleman friend (who seems to be trying to sell me a new red dress.)




On the way back to the car I spied this beautiful Virgin de Guadalupe in the courtyard of the Catholic Church. Quite different than the brightly colored ones you usually see. But her blindingly yellow aura more than makes up for all that white!

As soon as the fairy princess falls asleep tonight, I hope to be able to visit some of the Dia de Bloglandia posts to view the lovely personal celebrations all over the globe.