Monday and Tuesday, Oct31-Nov 1
I waited for my laundry, and then I headed towards Patzcuaro. Some friends from Colorado, who have a winter home on the west coast of Mexico, texted me that they would be there.
My friends, Richard and Lindsey
While reading other ride reports on advrider.com, I realize another motorcycle rider, doing the same ride to South America, was also in Morelia and headed to Patzcuaro. I make arrangements to meet him and we head to Patzcuaro together. He started his trip from Saskatchewan about 3 weeks before me. We meet, and ride towards Patzcuaro.
It becomes evident that I am going to encounter rain for the first time since I left Colorado. As we ride into it, I soon find the deficiencies in my riding gear. My riding pants and jacket do a good job keeping me dry. My gloves, which I know aren't waterproof, got soaked. But I learn that some of the jacket pockets are not waterproof either.
There is a waterproof lining, and some pockets are inside that lining and some are outside the lining. So my wallet got wet(damp). Fortunately, the rain didn't last, and it was a good lesson learned for my trip south, which will only get wetter.
Patzcuaro is supposed to be the epicenter of Mexico's Day of the Dead, or Dia del Muerto, holiday. The celebration is unlike our Halloween and predates the Spanish arrival. I don't know the history of the holiday, but it blends portions of the ancient Aztec ceremonies with Catholicism introduced by the Spanish.
It wasn't always celebrated throughout all of Mexico, but now has become a big celebration throughout the country.
If I have this correct, the people believe that the night of the celebration, the spirits of their loved ones who have passed away, can return and visit them. And so, they make elaborate decorations for the gravesites in all the cemeteries, and then families gather, eat, and socialize together around the graves that night.
Marigolds are the central theme and hold special significance. I don't know what.
But in my opinion, it has evolved into a huge tourist attraction. In certain cemeteries, the crowds seemed disrespectful, with kids swarming the tourists for candy or money, and vendors walking around selling food, drinks, and trinkets. It was sad, in the midst of all the decorations, to see an untended grave from time to time.
Patzcuaro sits on the southern end of a lake with the same name. Surrounding the lake, are several villages that each specialize in a particular trade or craft. In the middle of the lake is an island, Janitzio, where a re-inactment of the ancient ceremonies is done. Boats lit with candles, from each village, arrive at the island with villagers, to pay respect to the dead. But again, my understanding was, that it is just a big party out on the island, and with the limited capacity of ferries, plan on being there until 4 or 5 in the morning. No thanks. The party atmosphere in Patzcuaro Centro was getting busy enough for me by my bedtime. Oh to be 20-something again!
My friends had booked a room for me in someone's house, so I had a place to stay. The rider I met in Morelia was looking for a hotel room, but was probably going to have to return to Morelia for the night, as the city (Patzcuaro) is booked months in advance. I said goodbye, and we will probably meet again as we ride south. Central America becomes a funnel before the jump to South America, so the chances of meeting again are strong.
I waited for my laundry, and then I headed towards Patzcuaro. Some friends from Colorado, who have a winter home on the west coast of Mexico, texted me that they would be there.
My friends, Richard and LindseyWhile reading other ride reports on advrider.com, I realize another motorcycle rider, doing the same ride to South America, was also in Morelia and headed to Patzcuaro. I make arrangements to meet him and we head to Patzcuaro together. He started his trip from Saskatchewan about 3 weeks before me. We meet, and ride towards Patzcuaro.
It becomes evident that I am going to encounter rain for the first time since I left Colorado. As we ride into it, I soon find the deficiencies in my riding gear. My riding pants and jacket do a good job keeping me dry. My gloves, which I know aren't waterproof, got soaked. But I learn that some of the jacket pockets are not waterproof either.
There is a waterproof lining, and some pockets are inside that lining and some are outside the lining. So my wallet got wet(damp). Fortunately, the rain didn't last, and it was a good lesson learned for my trip south, which will only get wetter.
Patzcuaro is supposed to be the epicenter of Mexico's Day of the Dead, or Dia del Muerto, holiday. The celebration is unlike our Halloween and predates the Spanish arrival. I don't know the history of the holiday, but it blends portions of the ancient Aztec ceremonies with Catholicism introduced by the Spanish.
It wasn't always celebrated throughout all of Mexico, but now has become a big celebration throughout the country.
If I have this correct, the people believe that the night of the celebration, the spirits of their loved ones who have passed away, can return and visit them. And so, they make elaborate decorations for the gravesites in all the cemeteries, and then families gather, eat, and socialize together around the graves that night.
But in my opinion, it has evolved into a huge tourist attraction. In certain cemeteries, the crowds seemed disrespectful, with kids swarming the tourists for candy or money, and vendors walking around selling food, drinks, and trinkets. It was sad, in the midst of all the decorations, to see an untended grave from time to time.
Patzcuaro sits on the southern end of a lake with the same name. Surrounding the lake, are several villages that each specialize in a particular trade or craft. In the middle of the lake is an island, Janitzio, where a re-inactment of the ancient ceremonies is done. Boats lit with candles, from each village, arrive at the island with villagers, to pay respect to the dead. But again, my understanding was, that it is just a big party out on the island, and with the limited capacity of ferries, plan on being there until 4 or 5 in the morning. No thanks. The party atmosphere in Patzcuaro Centro was getting busy enough for me by my bedtime. Oh to be 20-something again!
My friends had booked a room for me in someone's house, so I had a place to stay. The rider I met in Morelia was looking for a hotel room, but was probably going to have to return to Morelia for the night, as the city (Patzcuaro) is booked months in advance. I said goodbye, and we will probably meet again as we ride south. Central America becomes a funnel before the jump to South America, so the chances of meeting again are strong.
I think Mexico is a beautiful place. You have very well described in your post. A little more in detail about Patzcuaro would be very nice. Thank you for sharing your experience.
ReplyDelete