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How to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

For insight into an unfamiliar culture, how better than to celebrate a popular festival, or in this case, fiesta, in the country where it originated? For this event, I joined hosts Sharon Gonzalez and Tom Travers, owners of Eat The Peach Travel, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Our mission? To share an authentic experience of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on their small-group tour.

Here’s an insider’s view of our fun adventure.

About Dia de los Muertos 

But first, you may ask, what IS Dia de los Muertos exactly? Commonly confused with Halloween, Dia de los Muertos does feature skeleton costumes. It’s also celebrated close to Oct. 31st, as both events originated in proximity to Fall harvest celebrations. Yet there are notable differences between the two. 

Spanish Catholic Heritage

Dia de los Muertos reflects a nod to its Spanish Catholic heritage. Combining both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the festivities are a show of love and respect to the dearly departed. Here death takes a holiday, evoking a joyful, rather than fearful ambiance, unlike its Halloween counterpart.

The mood is indeed merry. Yet throwing a party to celebrate, rather than mourn, the dead might seem mind-boggling, if not downright macabre, to the uninitiated of this Mexican tradition. But in fact, showcasing skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) suggests a way to not only laugh in the face of death. Party-goers also welcome the dead back among the living, however briefly, in this annual event. 

La Calaveras Catrina

Iconic La Calaveras Catrina, a female fashionista skeleton, looms large (literally) over the festivities leading up to the two-day event on Nov. 1st and 2nd. Whether strolling through El Parque Juarez, the Artisan Market or the Jardin in San Miguel’s historic town square, you can see her likeness everywhere. 

Artist José Guadalupe Posada first depicted La Calaveras Catrina shown only in an elegant, wide-brimmed hat in an 1813 etching. Posada had intended his caricature as a slight to native Mexicans whom he felt were adopting European customs at the expense of their own.

Later, another artist, Diego Rivera, developed the figure in his mural, Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central (Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Central). In Rivera’s rendering, La Calaveras Catrina takes center stage among the leading figures of the day. The artist includes himself, then-wife Frida Kahlo, and Posada among the people in the painting. The mural reminds all of our close association with death regardless of our rank and status in this life.

Beyond La Calaveras Catrina

Beyond La Calaveras Catrina, costumes, skulls and skeletons, we discovered the significance of other symbols of Dia de los Muertos. Colorful Mexican marigolds (Cempasuchitl) adorn headstones and doorways. Why? Because celebrants believe the pungent scent of the flowers assists the departed in finding their way back to the living.

Ornamental ofrendas (altars) also honor the departed through a variety of elements representing water, wind, earth and fire. Each has its own symbolism: one or more candles to light their path home; decorated sugar skulls representing the bittersweet intersection of life and death; Copalli incense, like Mexican marigolds, to attract the spirits and ward off evil; pan de muerto (Day of the Dead sweet bread) flavored with anise and orange peel to please the spirits; and a photo of the deceased person together with a few personal possessions, like favorite foods or beverages. 

How to Celebrate Dios de los Muertos

Wander the Cobblestone Streets.

Start by wandering the cobblestone streets to get your bearings in this vibrant art community. One walk through the colorful, bougainvillea-filled vistas of San Miguel de Allende and you realize how much of your life you have lived in monochrome until now. 

Mingle with the Locals.

Mingle with locals in Parque Juarez or people watch at the Jardin in the heart of San Miguel’s historic center. Live Mariachi music, seemingly everywhere, will have you dancing to the Latino beat in no time. 

Tour Panteon de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe.

At Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, you can witness residents celebrating the lives of those they have lost with offerings brought for the occasion. Outside the cemetery, we viewed displays of elaborately-decorated ofrendas, poignant love altars for deceased friends and family members.

For our tour, Sharon and Tom invited us to bring photos of our own departed loved ones for a group niche which then became part of The Pyramid of the Dead. The brainchild of artist Tomas Burkey, the monumental structure is comprised of individual recessed structures honoring those who have died. 

Join La Catrina Parade. 

Our fun began as we made our way in full regalia to the luxury boutique Rosewood Hotel for a highly-recommended Pre-Parade Face-Painting Cocktail Party. Margaritas in hand, we sat while professional artists painted our faces in show-stopping skull designs in the tradition of indigenous Mexican culture. Plenty of photo opps., entertainment by local ballet dancers, Mariachi music and tasty nibbles soon followed.

Tip:

When choosing your costume for the festivities, think Steampunk more than Halloween. Eat The Peach Travel provided suggestions for transforming ourselves into Catrinas (ladies) and Catrins (gents): large hats, long dresses, feather boas, netting and corsets for women; top hats, dark trousers, shirt and jacket or waistcoat for men. 

Our big day culminated with La Catrina Parade, a relatively recent phenomenon of Dia de los Muertos celebrations throughout Mexico. The parade began at the Rosewood Hotel and wound its way to the historic center of San Miguel de Allende. After returning to the hotel, our tour included a Dinner Contest Party. While most chose to sit back and enjoy the show while dining, our fearless leader, Sharon, took to the stage. She came just shy of capturing the prize for “Best Costume Catrina.” My money’s on you for the big win next year, Sharon!

Tip:

Be sure to wear flat, comfortable shoes in general throughout your stay in San Miguel de Allende, but especially when on the parade route. You will be walking over cobblestones in the dark, maybe after having had a drink or two, so be sure to choose shoes that will be kind to your feet.

Give Back to the Local Community.

Each year Eat The Peach Travel donates $500.00 to sponsor a year of care for a child at Centro infantil De Los Angeles (casadelosangeles.org). This means that a portion of your tour fee goes directly into supporting local residents.

If You Go

Who: Eat The Peach Travel, specializing in “Boutique Tours for Adventurers”
What: Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Where: Hotel El Santuario, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
When: 2019 Tour: 8 days/7 nights, Oct 27th – Nov 3rd
Why: For an intimate, unique cultural tour with fun, knowledgeable and caring hosts

Thanks to Sharon Gonzalez and Tom Travers for hosting!

Wanderboomers, how do you celebrate Dia de los Muertos? 

 

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WWI’s Impact on Seattle Revealed in MOHAI Exhibit


Wondering what Seattle’s history has to do with WWI, The Great War, also called The War to End All Wars? Turns out, quite a lot, judging by MOHAI’s (Museum of History and Industry) current exhibit, WWI America.

About

Native American volunteers in WWI, photo courtesy of Minnesota History Center

Hazel Archibald, Seattle 1918, photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

This multimedia, interactive exhibit chronicles events leading up to The Great War, the war itself and its aftermath. Most noteworthy, “It’s an exercise in sensory immersion,” says Brian Horrigan, Curator at Minnesota Historical Society. Horrigan helped develop the program over a three-year period. He invites visitors to explore America’s turbulent transformation onto the global stage through the exhibit’s 300 images, thirteen different media pieces and notable artifacts like a desk chair from the Lusitania.

1952.56.14 Photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

Or how about a pair of Houdini handcuffs, a women’s suffrage banner and President Woodrow Wilson’s top hat? Propaganda posters, documented peace efforts, news headlines from The Seattle Star all play a part in the exhibit. Visitors can even crank the handle of a vintage victrola to hear songs of the times like “Over There.”

Impact on Seattleites

The “Red Barn,” June 8, 1917, photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

The four-year, three-month and 14-day war “shaped the nation in profound and lasting ways,” explains Horrigan.

From local volunteers and those drafted into service, from the Skinner and Eddy shipyard to Boeing’s beginnings,  viewers can also follow the trail of national events to the war’s impact on Seattleites.

But what’s Seattle’s history have to do with our current state of affairs? Beyond the well-worn quote: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” Horrigan points out, “We’re still grappling with many of the same issues today that had their roots in WWI: women and civil rights, pandemics, labor struggles, returning veterans and immigration fears.”

Through the stories and photos of real people whose lives were upended irrevocably because of the war, visitors gain a sense of immediacy, emotional resonance and current relevance.

Events

Inspired to learn more about the origins and effect of WWI on past and present America?

MOHAI has lined up a number of special events to coincide with the Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration on November 11th, the day the war ended.

Wednesday October 3rd, 6PM, MOHAI presents a special performance of Northwest Passages by Living Voices to capture the devastating impact of The Spanish Flu, brought to America by returning veterans. Visitors can discover how to prevent the spread of flu today and even get a free flu shot, hosted by Bartell Drugs, on site.

Saturday October 20th, 11AM, 12 and 2PM – Hear the stories behind the clothing that people wore during the war, paving the way from The Edwardian Era to The Roaring Twenties.

Friday November 9th, 6:30 – 9PM, WWI America Member Celebration, kicks off MOHAI’s Armistice Day Centennial commemoration weekend.

Saturday November 10th – Monday November 12th, 10AM – 5PM, Attend a major highlight of the exhibit, featuring a special ceremony on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November. Officials will present a ceremonial ringing of the bells, as part of the National Bells of Peace Program, including The Seattle Fire Bell of 1890, which has not been officially rung this century.

Resources

And just in case you want to follow the rabbit hole a bit further, here are a few additional resources to check out:

The Guns of August – Thanks to MOHAI’s WWI America exhibit, this might be the year I finally heed my high school history teacher’s advice and read Barbara W. Tuckman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic.

American Experience: The Great War  – 3-part documentary, now streaming on PBS.

BBC Four – The First World War – In depth 10-part series

The First World War, The Complete Series – 4 DVD set

Downton Abbey – The Complete Series – Yes, that Downton Abbey, for a fan-favorite dramatic series with WWI as backdrop.

For More Information

Visit Seattle’s MOHAI.

 

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Take a Luxury Tesla Road Trip in Okanagan, BC

For a Boomer girlfriend getaway, it’s hard to top a luxury Tesla road trip along Route 97 in BC’s beautiful Thompson Okanagan region. Here’s why:

Tesla “Wow” Factor

Tesla Model s P85

Every great road trip starts with a fun vehicle. But driving a Tesla kicks that way up a notch with its undeniable “Wow” factor. Just imagine Lucy & Ethel or Thelma & Louise behind the wheel of a luxury electric car like our Tesla Model S P85 sedan all-wheel drive, and you have some idea of our grand adventure. When a neighbor heard of our pending trip, he said, “You do know that the Tesla can go from 0 to 60 in a nanosecond, don’t you?” I didn’t, but not to worry. I knew we’d figure it out. And we did.

After landing at Kelowna Airport, we met up with Ryan, our host from Power Trips, who offered a quick, but thorough, orientation on driving our Tesla before turning over the keys – or rather the key fob for our remote car entry. With its cool feature of door handles that slide out when sensing your approach, Tesla had us hooked from the start.

We were off, not quite in a nanosecond, since we still had to make it out of the parking lot and onto the freeway (in our case an adventure in itself), but soon enough.

And what’s a great road trip without an accompanying playlist? Once we got familiar with the display panel and settled on our eclectic choices (from Bobby Darin to the Beatles, Beach Boys and more – MUCH more), we eased into the sublime comfort of driving our luxury model. It’s a heady feeling knowing you can accelerate instantly at the slightest pedal to the mettle. Then add the fun of causing more than a few head turns while you whizz along the highway.

Tesla Curbside Parking

After watching us park perfectly in downtown Vernon, a passerby backed up a few steps and said: “Mind if I ask how much this car cost?” My girlfriend and I looked at each other, then responded: “Umm. About $150,000.” Was it wrong of us not to mention that was the “new” price or that we were only renting the Tesla for our girlfriend getaway?

At several more stops on our road trip, people asked what it was like to drive one (“Exhilarating!”), how far we could drive without recharging (“426km, almost 265 miles, per charge.”), or in one case, how we had even managed to get our hands on one since his girlfriend had been on the waitlist for the last six months.

Sounds of Silence in a Tesla

If you’re not used to driving an electric car, expect some mental and physical adjustment, like shifting from driving an automatic to a stick-shift. Besides overcoming the twitch to turn the key in the ignition, we also had to get used to the sounds of silence. We marveled at how quiet the model was, so quiet in fact, that even after the engine was on, it was hard to tell if it was actually running. And if we couldn’t hear it, that meant that the people standing in front of our car couldn’t hear it either so we couldn’t assume they would simply move out of the way when we were ready to pull out of our space in the parking lot.

Tesla Charger Stations

Driving a Tesla means no gas stops needed, but you do need charging stations. Ryan had assured us we’d have no problem finding any along Route 97, and he was right. How cool to know that while we were off exploring wineries, golf resorts or even staying at our resort, we could recharge the Tesla for as little or as long as needed. Plus, at many destinations, we discovered that valet service is only to happy to help out, even if the team needs to go to YouTube for advice.

Just know that charging times vary, depending on whether using a Tesla destination charger (up to 8 hours for a full charge) or a Tesla Supercharger (typically 45 – 60 minutes). Our car also came with an adapter, so if we had needed to (We didn’t) we also could have used any electric vehicle charging stations along the route.

Tesla Green Factor

Wanderboomer with Tesla

Besides the sheer fun of driving such a cool car, the ultimate payoff of getting behind the wheel of a Tesla is knowing that you’re in a vehicle with top energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

Ready for your own Tesla test drive? For more information on how you can play in BC’s Thompson Okanagan region, too, visit:

Power Trips.

Many thanks to our hosts for the chance to take a Tesla tour in Okanagan, BC:

Tourism Vernon.
Tourism Kelowna.
Visit Penticton.
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
Destination British Columbia.

Up Next: Roadtripping Attractions in Beautiful Okanagan, BC

How about you, Wanderboomers? Have you driven a Tesla? Share your experience with us here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SAM’s Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect Closing Jan. 15th

If you’ve been putting off a visit to see Seattle Art Museum (SAM)’s current exhibit, Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect, the good news is you still have time. The bad news? The exhibit closes next Monday Jan. 15th so waste not a minute getting your tickets.

Who’s Andrew Wyeth?

Seriously?

Andrew Wyeth looms large in the pantheon of mid-century American artists, though I was surprised to learn he is less well known on the West Coast according to Pat Junker, SAM’s American Art Curator. Perhaps the fact that Wyeth’s drawings and paintings center around the land and people in his hometown of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and coastal Maine where his family summered, contributes to his reputation as a regional American artist.

Wind from the Sea, 1947

Son of legendary artist, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew followed in his father’s footsteps from a young age, painting at first in watercolors. Later he began using egg tempura as a medium though discouraged from doing so by his father.

 

Miss Olson, 1952

But whereas N.C. Wyeth had achieved renown as a vivid illustrator of seascapes and swashbuckling scenes from classic literature, Andrew’s works portrayed stark landscapes and a stoic cast of characters. Neighbors like Christina Olson (Maine) and Karl Kuerner, drifter Willard Snowden and nurse Helga Testorf of The Helga Paintings (Chadds Ford) feature prominently in his paintings.

The Drifter, 1964

One of the most poignant photos from the exhibit features a young boy, his hand outstretched as he runs down Kuerner’s hill outside Chadds Ford. Not shown at the bottom of the hill is the railroad crossing where N.C. Wyeth and his two-year-old grandson were killed when their car was hit by a oncoming locomotive. Theoretically, the young boy in the painting is Allan Lynch, Andrew Wyeth’s childhood friend, who discovered the bodies after the tragic accident and protected them until authorities arrived on the scene. But Andrew Wyeth later claimed: “The boy was me at a loss, really” grieving the loss of his father and nephew.

Winter 1946

Why Go?

In partnership with the Brandywine River Museum of Arts, SAM’s exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of Andrew Wyeth’s birth. The exhibit offers a comprehensive overview of the artist’s 75-year career through the lens of 110 drawings and paintings spanning from the late 1930s to 2008, including rarely seen works from the Wyeth family.

Snow Hill, 1989

Not only do visitors have the chance to observe Wyeth’s paintings in chronological order for a sense of how his work evolved over the decades; visitors can also get a glimpse into Wyeth’s creative process from the drawings and variety of media on display. From film clips of King Vidor’s The Big Parade and Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, viewers can also explore how Wyeth’s artistry was influenced by film and war images.

For more information on securing tickets and extended museum hours for the exhibit this weekend, visit Seattle Art Museum.

Want to Learn More?

While SAM’s Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect exhibit closes on Jan. 15th, you can learn more about Wyeth’s film obsessions in the Films of Ingmar Bergman series, hosted by SAM January 11 – February 22, from 7:30 – 9:30PM.

Or pick up a copy of the 240-page exhibition catalog, edited by SAM curator Patricia Junker and Brandywine curator Audrey Lewis. The catalog features Junker’s analysis of four significant periods in Wyeth’s career, together with essays by scholars in the U.S. and Jaoan. The catalog retails for $55.00 and is available for purchase in SAM Shop.

 

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Bird Lovers Flock to Wings Over Water Festival

Bird lovers, rejoice! From March 10th – 12th 2017, Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival celebrates the Spring arrival of migratory birds to the Pacific Northwest.

Beach Birds

Set in scenic Blaine, WA. near the Canadian border, the festival attracts advanced and novice bird lovers of all ages.

Toast this year’s 15th annual celebration with a day trip or weekend getaway to experience exceptional birdwatching. From opening festivities, to birding and wildlife cruises, guided bird-watching tours and workshops, Wings Over Water has you covered. Spring into Spring here with your fine-feathered friends.

Start Your Weekend at the Blaine Community Pancake Breakfast.

Beach Landscape

Bird lovers need food to sustain birdwatching activities. So why not kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast? Pancakes and waffles, French toast, biscuits and gravy, sausage and eggs abound. This is a fun way to connect with locals, engage with like-minded bird enthusiasts, and plan your day ahead.

Visit the Vendor Expo.

Food, crafts and plenty of activities for kids make this a popular place to spend time during the birding festival. Check in here for festival information, exhibits and special events.

Go on a Guided Bird Walk.

Birdwatching

What kinds of birds can you expect to view in their protected habitat? Snow geese, Great Blue Herons, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Belted kingfisher, to name a few. Nearly 300 species call the Northwest home here.

See for yourself on an all-day guided field trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C., Canada. The Sanctuary is located on over 850 acres of managed wetlands and natural marshes in the Fraser River Estuary.

Reserve your spot in advance. And pack your passport, camera, binoculars and sunflower seeds for chickadee feedings. Dress in layers and be prepared to walk on gravel, grass and wet trails. If you forget your binoculars, not to worry. You can borrow a pair or pick up snacks, birdseed and books at the gift shop on-site.

For shorter visits, naturalist Paul Woodcock, vice-president of North Cascades Audubon, leads birders on a leisurely two-hour stroll along Semiahmoo Spit.

Take a Nature or Wildlife Cruise.

The Historic Plover

Hug the shore for a short ride aboard the historic MV Plover Foot-Passenger Ferry. Look for birdlife as you tour Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay with your own on-board wildlife naturalist.

For a two-hour, open-water wildlife cruise, hop on board the 50-foot Salish Sea to view seabirds in Boundary Bay and the Georgia Strait. See if you can spot the birds before your ship naturalist does. Bonus points if you’re the first one to also identify the birds.

Attend a Presentation.

Extend your fun festival escape by attending featured speaker presentations. Pick up wildlife photography tips from this year’s keynote speaker, Paul Bannick, author of Woodpeckers of North America, A Naturalist’s Guide. Additional featured speakers add their expertise in such topics as bald eagles (David Hancock), trumpeter swans (Martha Jordan) and local birding field trips (Joe Meche).

Extend Your Stay at Semiahmoo Golf Resort & Spa.

Semiahmoo sunset

Pacific Northwest hospitality awaits at this recently-restored Northwest iconic treasure. As our resort receptionist advised upon check-in: “Take one day to settle in, or two to change your life.” After reveling in spellbinding sunset views, fine dining, an outdoor bonfire and beachcombing, we got the message. We came away relaxed and rejuvenated from just an overnight stay.

Semiahmoo appetizer

Pizza at Semiahmoo

And in case you need a little special pampering after all your birding activities – and you know you do – there’s a full-service spa on site. Before check out, enjoy a delicious brunch in Pierside Kitchen or head over to nearby Semiahmoo Marine Café for a more casual-style breakfast.

Explore Birch Bay.

Not ready to leave quite yet? Visit Birch Bay just a short drive away from the Wings over Water festivities. While the beach town is best experienced during the summer months for outdoor activities, there’s something special about wandering quiet beach towns in the off-season.

Thanks to my hosts for the opportunity to attend the Wings over Water festival and for my stay at Semiahmoo. 

For more information, visit:

Wings Over Water.
Semiahmoo Golf Resort & Spa.

Wander on, bird lovers!

Nancy

What’s your favorite Spring festival in the Pacific Northwest, wanderboomers?

 

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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