Culture learning

Okay, I know alot of my Christian friends out there will question me for taking my children to a "Day of the Dead" celebration but, in my defense I will say I want to expose my children to lots of different cultures so they will understand the world around them.   Although I do not agree with the alter building and gift giving to their dead loved ones I do like the idea of celebrating the lives of your loved ones who have past.  For those of you who do not know Day of the dead starts on October 31st when it is believed Heaven opens up and loved ones especially children are allowed to come home.  This is the most expensive holiday for them because they buy gifts, food, toys,beer, etc and place it at the alter they build for their loved one. They believe that their love one will need all this for their continued journey in Heaven and in the spiritual world.

So off we went to the celebration where they had a Frida Kahlo look a like contest, face painting, Aztec Dance, sugar skulls, paper flower and a cactus salad demo.  As we walked in the kids instantly went to the face painting line which never seemed to move. I think one family had 20 kids that would walk off and come back bc we stood in that line the entire time we were there.  They had an actual artist doing the painting so it was worth it.  After 30min of waiting I told the kids I would save their spot and they could go do the rest of the activities.  Marchal came right back and Hannah went on exploring(History buff she is). Upon returning and trying to get back in her spot she was barricaded by a boy who insisted it was not fair bc he was in line for an hr(he really wasn't) and made a big deal so we told her to go to the end of the line.  She was upset which I understand bc the boy was in line for maybe 20 mins and at that time we had been there for an hr. I then told her to go get in the other line where the man was skull painting faces(I only agreed bc she was so upset-darn little boy).  Then they had my absolute favorite the Aztec Dance.  Being my family does come from an Indian culture(not sure which one-since all the people who know are in Heaven) I was so excited.  They were full blooded Indians and the husband only spoke in his native language and his wife translated for him.  As the drums started I could feel my feet wanting to move and my blood pumping. Not sure if my Indian side was trying to come out but it was amazing. At the end of their dance they allowed others to come up and they taught a dance to everyone. Hannah of course jumped right up.  She learned the Wind Dance. Which was a dance they did because this time of the year is so important with the leaves falling and the flowers dieing the wind blows the seeds that will bloom in the Spring.  Pretty cool I thought bc I never thought about Fall that way. We all had a great time and can't wait for the next culture event they will have.