Living in the border region many of the traditions blend together and sometimes that means twice the
fun. While Halloween is not typically celebrated in most of Mexico, Baja more and more has been getting more into the Halloween act. One great example of this is in Las Gaviotas, a resort neighborhood in Rosarito, Baja California Mexico. For more than 10 years over 100 
children of the residents, guests and workers have enjoyed a traditional style Halloween, walking the streets of this Mediterranean Style hamlet, dressed as ghosts and witches. The only thing that clues you into the Baja style is the call of "tiky tiky" at the door when the local children show up.
It reminds many of us of when we were kids and it was safe to let children roam free in the neighborhood. The popular oceanfront resort community is a protected haven for children to freely enjoy a safe Halloween. The residents welcome vacationing guests to bring thier children to enjoy the festivities. Little haunted houses are decked out around the resort and residents and visitors oblige trick or treaters with piles of candy. You are formally invited to join the fun and can do so by contacting Baja-Rentals in Rosarito to enjoy and oceanfront vacation in Baja while doing so.
As if that wouldn't be enough you can then experience the celebration of Dia de los Muertos over the following days. This is a historical celebration in Mexico and much of Latin America to honor family members who have passed on to the afterlife. The beliefs of today's Mexicans are based on the complicated blended cultures of our ancestors, the Aztec and Maya and Spanish. The origins of the Days of the Dead reach into the ancient history of Europe and Mexico. In the eighth century, the chur
ch decreed November 1 as All Saints Day. Setting aside the day to honor the martyrs and saints was an attempt to replace the 2000-year tradition of the Celts and their Druid priests (from Europe) who combined harvest festivals and celebrated the new year on November 1.
The Celtic dead were believed to have access to earth on Samhain, October 31st, when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead relaxed. The Celts danced around huge bonfires, wearing animal heads and hides to confuse the spirits and burned crops and animals as offerings to the returning dead. Around the end of the first millennium, the church reinforced its attempt to cover the Celtic celebration by designating November 2 as All Souls' Day to honor the dead. All Souls' Day was celebrated with parades, big bonfires and the people dressed as saints, angels and devils.
In the Celtic language of the day, All Saints Day and All Souls' Day were known as All-hallowsmas, and October 31 was "All Hallowed's Eve" or Hallow'e'en. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico they encountered two-month celebrations honoring death, the fall harvest and the new year. For more than 500 years, the goddess Mictecacihuatl (Lady of the Dead - pictured here) presided over Aztec harvest rituals using fires and incense, costumes of animal skins, images of their dead and offerings of ceramics, personal goods, flowers and foods, drink and flowers.
The Spanish conquerors attempted to transform the joyous celebration to a more suitably serious image of death, and a day of prayer focusing attention and reflection on the saints and martyrs. The people of Mexico did not fully adopt the idea, and by keeping their familiar ceremonies, All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day evolved into the celebrations that today honor the dead with color, candles, lots of food and joy.
Many families honor their ancestors and dead with home altars, laden with harvest fruits, traditional bread with crossed bones on dough on top, all to greet the spirits as they return to the home for 24 hours each year. Many will visit the cemetaries of thier loved ones with a feast in two and offer it to them. Of course they will devour whatever those in the afterworld leave behind. It's all a great spirited celebration. Some towns have parades with lavish skelital costumes and many artisans fire up their creative skills for the celebration. It's a great time to shop for unique art indigenous to Mexico.
This is all just another great example of how Life In Baja is a rich cultural experience that blends the best of both worlds. Come join the celebrations a and family fun that await you in Baja.