Everything came together nicely for our 3 Day of the Dead tours in Puerto Vallarta this past October 31, November 1, and 2.
I was most worried about what may happen or could happen at the Santa Muerte Shrine. That was the big unknown. I was told by several people that on Halloween and Day of the Dead that I should not go there because of who would be there and what could happen.
I have visited there many times, but rarely do I encounter anyone at the shrine. Although clearly people do visit because I usually have gone in the mornings and there is always "offerings" in the gate (flowers, beers etc.)
I have also meet with the caretaker several times and he is a very nice man and takes his job to heart and ensures that the shrine is clean and tidy at all times.
But I was also honestly worried about just crossing the highway. Yes we have a traffic light to assist us, but it is a bit fast to cross without running - and with 2 tours of 12 people each and 2 guides and assistants its looked like a challenge. There is a pedestrian bridge a traffic light north, but I felt it was too far and forced us to cross the street intersecting the highway with even less protection from odd traffic lights.
But in the end we had no trouble with making our crossings six times during the course of the three afternoons of tours.
What I was never worried about was the food quality and service at our restaurant hosing our Day of the Dead event - La Chula. Chef owner Sonia provided another year of amazing meals and her staff, all with Catrina face paintings, were warm, expeditors, and ever so on top of everything. (La Chula, Calle San Salvador 230, 5 Diciembre neighborhood, PV)
Big thanks this year to Tequilera Xolok (Calle Olas Altas #399 Romantic Zone) who provided us bottles of El Paseillo Charro Tequila - both Anejo and unaged blanco. I have tasted this tequila many times on other of our tours and it is one of my favorites.
We also were paid a visit by a local Rompope maker who provided everyone with many different flavors of Rompope to taste and purchase if desired. I purchased 2 every night as well as others on the tours. It was a big hit.
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Lastly, I want to mention something that I think everyone can relate and appreciate because most hold their mothers in great esteem. I am no exception. A week before our tours guide Abraham and I did a walk tough the cemetery. We stopped to talk to one gentleman Pedro who was working on beautifying a gravesite. He was re-tiling the walls of the mausoleum as he had buried his mother, Guadalupe, back in September. You could tell how devoted he was to her. He told us how she raised all her kids in Puerto Vallarta and then the last 20 years taking care of all her grandchildren while her kids were at work. He has a 11X14 portrait of her in the mausoleum with a huge inviting smile that Pedro said was her trademark.
We visited her grave on all three of our tours and introduced her to everyone. Pedro was there on both afternoons of Day of the Dead as was very happy that we had come to share in the life of his mom. Just as we all like to spend time with visitors in life, surely in death as well.
I remember a famous saying. In Mexico you die twice. First when your body gives out. The second time when you are forgotten. I think Guadalupe will not be forgotten by her family and friends for a long time to come.
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