Cemeteries Somewhere in the Yucatán, Mexico Riding my bike along a 2 lane highway I maneuvered my way to a cemetery that caught my eye. Innocently enough the bright colors were first to catch my attention. Entering the gates I knew I was somewhere special. I knew because my heart was pounding even before my eyes could take it all in. I stopped in my tracks puzzled and trying to decipher why the coffins were so small and uncovered. My first reaction was I happened upon a child's cemetery. Investigating the dates I was glad to be wrong. What I learned is, when a loved one dies they are buried in a full casket. After the third year, the family excavates the loved one to sift through the decomposed remains for bones. In few regions they practice bone washing. Bone washing (dry brush cleansing) in these very few regions is done every year forward in preparation for Hanal Pixan, the Mayan's Dia de los Muertos celebration that welcomes home the spirits of loved ones passed. Hanal Pixan translates to "Food of Souls". The bones are then carefully stacked on a clean light cloth and tied as is or placed in a wooden or metal box and added to the family tomb or mausoleum. The lid is then placed slightly ajar or off completely to the side. Year round candles stay lit and flowers are placed to honor them til their spirit is able to visit again the next Hanal Pixan. Here the soil is a striking red as it is derived from limestone and contains iron. My heart was right; I was indeed somewhere special.
