Welcome back. If you're looking for a place where the veil between worlds truly feels thin, you need to be in Oaxaca, Mexico, for the Day of the Dead. This isn't a somber holiday; it's a profound and joyous reunion.

In Oaxaca, the festivities start well before November 1st and 2nd. Families dedicate days to constructing intricate ofrendas—altars adorned with marigolds (cempasúchil), candles, the favorite food and drink of the departed, and pan de muerto. These aren't just decorations; they're invitations, guides for the spirits to return home.

The atmosphere in the city and surrounding villages is electric. You'll see beautiful sand tapestries (tapetes de arena) in the streets, and experience the lively comparsas—costumed parades that blend music, dance, and satire, often featuring the iconic La Calavera Catrina.

But perhaps the most moving tradition is the vigil in the cemeteries. Families gather around the graves of their loved ones, cleaning them, decorating them with hundreds of candles and flowers, and holding an all-night celebration. The glow of the candles lighting up the night, the aroma of copal incense, and the quiet music create a truly magical, unforgettable scene. It's a powerful reminder that in Oaxaca, death is not an ending, but a continuation of memory and love.