The preparations have begun
There are flower sellers everywhere.
Home altars are being created,
Car repair, shoe and small tiendas
Have transformed into flower shops.
You can’t avoid the papel picado banners or skeletons.
Although Monday is officially the day,
Families are already in the cemetery
Cleaning gravesites,
Placing flowers
Spending time together
Praying.
Back in town, altars are being constructed in the Jardin
This one, is in memory of the heroes of San Miguel.
Today, I went to the panteon –
Just a few families were there cleaning gravesites, placing flowers.
Tomorrow there will be more people, and Monday even more.
I will be meeting my neighbors Petra and Elvia there,
With flowers for Maricela and Jesus who died this year.
The family has not been to Maricela’s grave since she died.
Last week,
Petra told me she wouldn’t go to Maricela’s grave this year.
Apparently she has had a change of heart, because today,
She told me she will be going after all.
Elvia is going with her five children.
Together they will decorate the sepulchre where Jesus rests,
But the main altar for Jesus, will be on Calle Relox
At the big pink fountain near the artistan market.
Monday, the transformation of the panteon will be complete,
Over the top with flowers and wall to wall people.
Click on the photo below to view an album of photos
Which I’ll be updating over the next few days
As I visit the cemetery, my neighbor’s homes,
Plus a visit to our friend Juan, who is making floral xuchiles
For both Maricela and Jesus.
