Today is a holiday in Guatemala--Dia de los muertos, or day of the dead. The day is a celebration remembering the dead, and interestingly, is a lively celebration rather than a mourning day. The streets fill with people heading off the cemetery, families get together, kids fly kites, and music is heard in the streets. I asked 3 armed men (one military guy and two local police toting giant rifles and lots of ammunition) why they were standing in a particular place, if they were guarding a particular grave or something. But they said, no, everyone deserves protection, dead or alive. As crazy as it was for me to approach three heavily armed men (can you picture this, because it still makes me feel a little queasy), his response was pretty telling to the way things seem to go here.
Right outside the cemetery is a carnival and street fair, with food vendors, music, shopping, and all sorts of floral arrangements to bring to the cemetery.
Today is a holiday in Guatemala--Dia de los muertos, or day of the dead. The day is a celebration remembering the dead, and interestingly, is a lively celebration rather than a mourning day. The streets fill with people heading off the cemetery, families get together, kids fly kites, and music is heard in the streets. I asked 3 armed men (one military guy and two local police toting giant rifles and lots of ammunition) why they were standing in a particular place, if they were guarding a particular grave or something. But they said, no, everyone deserves protection, dead or alive. As crazy as it was for me to approach three heavily armed men (can you picture this, because it still makes me feel a little queasy), his response was pretty telling to the way things seem to go here. 
Right outside the cemetery is a carnival and street fair, with food vendors, music, shopping, and all sorts of floral arrangements to bring to the cemetery. 
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