All Saints Day

November 1st was an important holiday here in Guatemala. Dia de los Santos, or All Saints Day, brings people all over latin america to the cemeteries to reunite with their lost loved ones. The interesting thing about this day is the attitude associated with death... no one is crying or upset. In fact, the cemetery is practically converted into a carnival with food vendors, kite flying, and music. Here in San Andres Itzapa, the village next to mine, I saw a huge kite festival in the cemetery. People flew kites that were up to 10 feet tall and intricately decorated. Many of the kites were decorated to illustrate political or social statements...it was truly amazing. I went with my friend Christy, who is Guatemalan, and helped her decorate her grandmother´s grave with candles and flowers.