DAY OF THE DEAD IN OAXACA

Oct 28 - Nov 5, 2008 with Jim Cline

Cost: $2775.00 includes all ground transport, all 8 nights hotel accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, entrance-fees at tourist sites, model fees, guides, and drinking water.  
The price is based on double occupancy.  A single supplement of $355 applies. 
The trip will be limited to 9 participants.

Experience the most Mexican of holidays in beautiful Oaxaca in southern Mexico.

Many of the local people believe that on these special nights the spirits of the dead

come to visit. We'll photograph their parties for the dead in cemeteries, and the

elaborate altars they prepare, as well as costume parades, colorful markets,

splendid colonial churches, and the people and their daily life in Oaxaca. We'll also

explore villages in the surrounding area, and their colorful markets, as well as the

ancient Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban.

Since ancient times the indigenous peoples of Mexico observed a day each year when the spirits of the dead came back to visit the living on earth. When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500's they attempted to eradicate most of the beliefs and customs of the Indians, but The Day of the Dead traditions remained, though somewhat fused with Catholicism and All Saints Day.

In the days leading up to The Day of the Dead, many signs begin to appear in the homes, shops, markets, and throughout the city. Craftsmen create many imaginative wooden figures depicting skeletons engaging in various activities. In homes, shops, and restaurants, people prepare altars dedicated to the dead decorated with marigolds and other flowers, candles, and the deceased's favorite foods and drinks. The markets are full of skulls made of sugar or chocolate, called calaveras, and bread and other foods are decorated with skeletons and skulls. Also large tapetas de arena, or sand carpets, are designed in tribute to the dead.

On November 2nd, and other nights in some villages, the cemeteries are full of people

celebrating the dead. The gravesites are covered with flowers and thousands of candles

placed on the graves light the whole graveyard. Many generations within a family sit

around the gravesite and have a party for dead family members. They eat their favorite

foods, drink their favorite beverages, including mescal, a liquor made from the agave

cactus, and they all join in singing while the mariachis play the deceased's favorite

songs. Thses parties go on until late at night, then when most of the people depart,

only the most traditional older women remain to sit in silent vigil at the gravesites until

dawn.

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We will photograph all of these traditions, and meet many of the local people along the

way. You will not only come away with photos, but hopefully with new friends and

memories, and a better understanding of the ancient cultures and traditions of Mexico.

To see some of Jim’s images from his 2006 trip click here

Day one:  Arrive from your flight to the city of Oaxaca. You will be transported from the airport to our hotel. For

those who arrive early enough we'll have an informal gathering at a restaurant on the Zocalo, or main plaza, near

our hotel.

Day Two:  We'll have a city orientation, visiting the central plaza and park, beautiful colonial churches, and

market places. We'll see some of the wonderful arts and crafts that make Oaxaca famous, and you will be introduced

to some of the traditions of The Day of the Dead, such as the elaborate altars, sugar skulls, and other foods. We'll

have dinner at a resturant with a wiew overlooking the plaza and the Cathedral, where we can shoot twilight city

scenes.

Day Three: in the morning we'll visit a traditional village on their market day. We'll have lunch back in town at a

sidewalk cafe on the plaza. In the afternoon we'll go to the ancient Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban, and capture the

last light at sunset there. In the evening after dinner, those who want to will attend the Ballet Folklorico, an exhibition

of traditional regional dancing. There we can photograph the dancers in their colorful costumes as they dance. 

Day Four:  In the morning we'll see the children's parades in and around the plaza. Then we'll shoot more altars

and special foods prepared for The Day of the Dead, as well as the bustling flower market. On this night The Day of

the Dead tradition is observed at a cemetery in a nearby village. Familievisit loved ones' grave sites and bring food and drink a s

Mariachis stroll, playing the favorite songs of the deceased. We'll stay there until late at night when some of the more
traditional people sit in silent vigil at the grave sites.

Day Five:  Free time in the morning. In the afternoon we'll go to the General Cemetery in the city to photograph the

altars and tapetes de arena, or sand carpets, constructed for the dead. In the evening there is a large comparsa. or

costume procession with music. It starts in the plaza in front of the Cathedral, before it winds its way through the

streets and ends up at the General Cemetary.

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Day Six, El Dia de los Muertos: During the day we'll venture out to the General Cemetery, which is full of people

all day paying tribute to the dead. The music of mariachis is in the air, as people have parties at the graves of dead

family members. In the evening we'll go to a small town cemetery for more festivities.

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Day Seven: Free time in the morning (sleep for some). Before lunch we'll visit the Iglesia Santo Domingo, one of

the most beautiful churches in all of Mexico, and the adjoining Ex-Convento Santo Domingo, a beautifully restored

monestary that houses the Museum of Oaxacan cultures, which holds many of the treasures discovered in the ruins

of Monte Alban and other archeological sites. Later in the afternoon we'll venture out to a little-known village where

the Day of the Dead celebrations take place on this day.

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Day Eight: We'll visit several villages in the surrounding valleys. First we'll visit El Tule

with its famous 2000 year old tree. We'll then continue to the village of Teotitlan de Valle, where the finest blankets in

all of Mexico are made. We'll have lunch there at a charming restaurant, then go on to the village of

Tlacolula, with its 16th century church. We'll then visit Yagul, with it's ancient ruins perched high on a hill. Finally we'll

go to Mitla, where we'll capture the last light of the day on the church and the nearby Zapotec ruins. We'll then return

totown, where we'll have our celebration dinner.

Day Nine : We'll catch our flights for home (some loaded down with souvenirs).

What past participants of Jim’s tours to Oaxaca had to say:

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"It was a great trip! No amount of reading about the Day of the Dead prepared me for the range of emotions of the people

or the great attitude they have about death. You are very knowledgeable and you constantly tried to improve the

experience when you got new information. I am pleased with my pictures - they really captured a lot of emotions in the

cemeteries. Now I want to go see the gray whales!" Gwyn Ellis, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"I can truly say that your Oaxaca trip will go down in my book as one of the best trips I have taken. The people, the town,

you and my fellow shutter bugs made it a blast! I am so glad that I was able to share it with all of you. And I really love all

the images and the great memories of all the fun times we had." Tena Cohn, Del Mar, CA

Jim's photos of Mexico have won numerous awards, and have been exhibited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.

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