Dia de los muertos Day of the Dead

November 1st and 2nd are important dates in Mexico.  On these days, Mexicans honor their departed loved ones.  This usually entails a visit to the cemetery which may include a picnic and soft music.  Also, each family generally builds an altar which displays not only pictures of the departed but also contains foods and other items which the relative or friend enjoyed while living.  The theme of the celebrations is skeletons.  Skeletons hang from buildings and 3D pictures constructed with sand are designed around the skeleton theme.

Most interestingly, people paint their faces black and white to simulate skeletons.  Being raised with the American equivalent of Halloween, I am somewhat spooked by the skeletons, but the Mexican culture does not present them as frightening.  This is a perfect example of cultural influence.

All of these floor murals are constructed from sand.