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Dia de los Muertos

Halloween is quickly becoming my favorite holiday along with Dia de los Muertos. I exhausted myself, but it was all in good fun, so I feel it was well worth it. I always enjoy meeting people on Halloween – the costumes somehow ease the social tension that accompanies interacting with new faces (well, that and the alcohol). The walls go up again of course, but for a short time it’s fun to bathe in a little good-natured friendliness.

Dia de los Muertos

In addition to Halloween this year, my sister and I decided to take part in the Dia de los Muertos festivities in downtown Austin. It was a blast and better than I expected. We’re already talking about what we will do next year and how we should definitely get involved a lot earlier. Next year I will also remember to recharge the battery on my sister’s camera, as halfway through the day it died. I cursed myself, for I knew I wouldn’t be able to take photos of the actual parade, but at least I got some excellent photos of my sister, our friend T and her kiddos and some of the altars in the Mexic-Arte museum.

Halloween. Chocolate! Costumes. Parties. Chocolate! Pumpkins. Candles. Chocolate!!!

This year I decided to be a sexy air force pilot. Don’t ask me why – I just happened to be walking through a Halloween store with my twin sister when the outfit caught my eye. And then, as I oooed and ahhhed over how well it fit, my sister mentioned that she had purchased a pilot cap the day before, even though she had no use for one – she just thought it was cute (I am constantly amazed – and a little freaked out – by how weirdly in synch her and I are…). This got me reminiscing on Halloweens of yester year and what I chose to wear. All too often I chose the lame cat ears or worse, just threw on a witch’s hat. But I actually did like my gypsy outfit from last year. And sifting through clothes at Goodwill to create my 1980′s costume in 2006 was a blast. Actually, I think teasing my hair up into a ridiculous headscoop was the epitomy of giddiness for me that Halloween.

(photo by Adriano Snel)

This year I have also decided to participate in the Day of the Dead festivities here in Austin. I have never had a chance to do this and I am really looking forward to it. I’ll try to remember to take lots of photos and then post a few here. My sister thinks we should paint our faces. Really? I don’t know…can’t I just wear black? Oh wait, I already do that…

Happy Halloween and ¡Happy Día de los Muertos!