Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead)

Sometimes it is the unexpected, unplanned moments in life that can be the most exciting, offer the best opportunities to discover something new and allow for letting go, being in the moment and realizing that everything works out.

These things were brought to light again this past week when our friend Babs was 'stuck' in the Bay Area due to Hurricane Sandy. Instead of a short 4 day visit, Bab's got to spend a week and a half in the Bay Area, a place she once called home for 8 years. So when I say 'stuck' it was more like a divinely planned holiday for her. And that gave our family the chance to have a few extra visits. Her extended stay lead to an exciting impromptu to visit to Alameda's Crab Cove. While we were long familar with Crab Cove, that visit with Babs led us to a new and fantastic place to explore the Bay (http://twosmallgems.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-sunday-morning-at-crab-cove.html.) And her visit alo lead us to a BA.R.T. ride into the Mission for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). 

I had never witnessed any Day of the Dead festivities and was not that familiar with the specifics of the meaning of the day (for more on the history check out http://www.dayofthedeadsf.org/history.html.) But thanks to Babs' encouragement for us to "take the kids on the B.A.R.T. and come and meet us" off we went. The kids were already fed and even though I had a feeling we would be getting home later than usual, I let our usual night time routine go the way of the wind. I am so glad I did. We had a splendid night in the City, celebrating a remarkable culture and their significant holiday. I did a little research on the history and meaning of the Day of the Dead so i could explain to the girls what we would be experiencing. That evening would have never happened had we not been open to a last minute invitation.

From the get go the girls were amped up. Just riding the train was a thrill in and of itself for them. Even Ms. Havana who is usually disturbed by loud noises, was too distracted by the crowds of people and new sights,  to notice the loud volume of the train. Once we arrived at our destination, 24th and Mission, the girls were enthralled by the crowds of people, the vendors hawking, "Tamales, tamales, chicken tamales" and the sounds, lights and  of the city, at night. Then there were the many people dressed up in honor on the occasion which, thankfully, was exciting (and not scary) for them. 

As we made our way around the Mission District, I felt a deepened sense of appreciation and understanding of this celebration as well as for the City. I was touched by the rituals of honoring our deceased in a way that was joyful, bright and lively. I began to think about my own family/friends who have passed on and ways that I could honor their souls. In our culture we tend to be frightened of the dead, we have some taboo around the deceased. But on this night, this Dia de los Muertos, I saw that there was no fear but rather the welcomed opportunity to honor and connect with our loved ones who have left the earthly plane. I was reminded of my time in Western Samoa where the dead are buried in the front of the home and where children are often seen playing on the tombs. Their thinking is that why would one put a loved one far away and alone, in a cemetery? They keep their deceased close by so they can 'see' them and be around them even when they are no longer physically present, which makes so much more sense than putting them far away. The Mexican culture too, I learned, has a healthier take on the deceased, one of love not fear.

Then there was the city, I am not a city person by nature but walking (and alot of walking we did) the streets and seeing all the hussle got me amped us well. I loved weaving in and out of the crowds (and I was thankful for having strollers which kept the girls safe). And it was an unusually warm night in the city. San Francisco is a far cry from my native New York but for the first time in my thirteen years in the Bay Area I felt the pulse of San Francisco and understood why so many people call it home. It was a lovely, meaningful adventure for our family that would never had happened it we didn't allow ourselves to be in the moment and listen to our hearts to let go of routine and plans and just be in the moment.

On the ride over.

One of the many alters honoring those who have passed on. Amara better understood that the parade and festivities were for those who died but Havana is still to young to really grasp death. Amara too for that matter but she gets that it means no seeing a person again in this form.

We passed a Buddhist temple on 22nd. I thought that appropriate. I kept Buddha in my heart after that, after all he is one of the deceased. Not a direct family member but a patriarchal figure to billions.

Whereas the train noise didn't disturb Havana, the parade proved a bit much. Havana felt much more comfortable on Don's head with her ears covered!

Synchronicity played a hand in our running into our friend Maile. She looked awesome!

Anjahni with Babs.

Babs' friend Odilon, sister Annie, Babs and Mike.

It was finally time to head home. It was late, the girls were tired and punch drunk so we made the long trek back to the East Bay.