I arrivein Guatemalaon The Day of the Dead,November 1st.  I’m curious about this holiday,soIgo tot he cemetery to see what’s happening.  What Ifindis quite interesting.

The atmosphere is likeaparty.  There are people every where.  Families are sitting around the graves of their dead ancestors.  They clean the graves and addfresh flowers.  I walk through the cemetery and admire the beauty of all the colorful flowers.

There is also color in the sky,because many kids are flying kites.  Some families are having apicnic next to the graves.  They eat,drink,and chat together.  People laugh and smile.

In the UnitesStates,cemeteries are always somber.  We certainly never have festivals or parties next tograves.  We don’t laugh or play music or fly kites in cemeteries either.

I findthat I prefer the Guatemalan approach.  I like the way they remember and celebrate those who have passedaway.  I like that they acknow ledge death,instead of denying it the way Americans do.  I like that there is life,as well as death,in their cemeteries.

Guatemalans call it“The Day of the Dead”,but it is also a day to appreciate life.