Dia de todos los santos (All Saint's Day) Is a very big deal here in Spain and to be honest I wish that we adopted a day such as this one within our culture. Everyone goes to mass in the morning for those who have passed away and then visit their graves during the day. Armed with bags of cleaning supplies, flowers, and vases, everyone floods the cemetery gates. There's a small church off to the side that my host mom and I visited first. Then we proceeded to each grave and stood in a moment of silence. We cleaned the marble, replaced the fake flowers that stay all year around, and then set up vases with fresh flowers near the cross. What I thought was so special was that it didn't matter if they were her blood relations or relatives by marriage, we paid respect to everyone from her grandparents and parents to her brother-in-laws and art master (she was his apprentice).
Also it was amazing how there were very few gravestones that hadn't been visited and adorned with flower.
Dia de todos los santos is the equivalent of the Mexican Day of the Dead, but the traditions here are a lot more serious and subdued. I knew that this day meant a lot to my host mom and that she was really missing her parents so I decorated four candles and lit them while she was making lunch. She was so surprised and absolutely loved the gift, which made me happy to make her smile on a solemn day. We lit the candles yesterday and then relit them in the morning for dia de los animas (spirits day).
The big white one is for all of her family and then the three little red ones are lit to remember certain people from my life (their names are integrated in the designs). While this weekend has been rather eerily quiet, especially in terms of the lack of people walking around in the streets and going out for tapas, it's nice to know that majority of the community surrounding me is taking a moment to remember. I'm not sure I'm doing so well to describe this feeling surrounding us, but it's a pleasant, supportive camaraderie.
This is one holiday I will continue to celebrate, even after my time here in Spain ends.
Love and miss you all,
Carolyn
(p.s. sorry this post is rather sad but at the same time it really is important and such a big part of their culture here, especially since this weekend has been a polar opposite change from the customary siesta and fiesta mentality)
Also it was amazing how there were very few gravestones that hadn't been visited and adorned with flower.
Dia de todos los santos is the equivalent of the Mexican Day of the Dead, but the traditions here are a lot more serious and subdued. I knew that this day meant a lot to my host mom and that she was really missing her parents so I decorated four candles and lit them while she was making lunch. She was so surprised and absolutely loved the gift, which made me happy to make her smile on a solemn day. We lit the candles yesterday and then relit them in the morning for dia de los animas (spirits day).
The big white one is for all of her family and then the three little red ones are lit to remember certain people from my life (their names are integrated in the designs). While this weekend has been rather eerily quiet, especially in terms of the lack of people walking around in the streets and going out for tapas, it's nice to know that majority of the community surrounding me is taking a moment to remember. I'm not sure I'm doing so well to describe this feeling surrounding us, but it's a pleasant, supportive camaraderie.
This is one holiday I will continue to celebrate, even after my time here in Spain ends.
Love and miss you all,
Carolyn
(p.s. sorry this post is rather sad but at the same time it really is important and such a big part of their culture here, especially since this weekend has been a polar opposite change from the customary siesta and fiesta mentality)
Greetings Carolyn - it is enjoyable reading your blogs about your travel and educational adventures. We so look forward to seeing you upon your return.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love and Gods' Blessings,
~auntie S