"Nice to meet you!" in Spanish is "¡Mucho gusto!"
Literally translated, it means something similar to "I'm very happy".In addition to handshakes, Mexican greetings often include hugs, cheeks, and fists.However, now, the local is basically a stay home.The “Facultad de Idiomas,” which I was indebted to, the Department of Linguistics of the University of Oaxaca, Autonomous Benito Juárez (Idiomas), is continuing online classes this semester as well.
Meanwhile, today, the background of the Idiomas Facebook page has changed.Teachers walking around with elegant skeleton make-up and masks... yes!It's Mexico's biggest event, Day of the Dead!Have you ever seen the Disney movie "Remember Me"?
The Day of the Dead is celebrated from the end of October to the beginning of November.While there are costume contests and parades like Halloween, it is an important traditional event that corresponds to Japan's "Obon", when the deceased are said to return.
At this time of year, everyone at school builds a large altar and decorates it with orange marigolds, fruit, bread, and colorful paper cutouts.You can feel the tradition in the liveliness, such as dancing along the streets with the marching band in costume, and students wearing skull make-up in traditional costumes performing a dance that has been handed down in the region.
At Idiomas, we have big events every month and events that make use of the contents of each class and club, and I always felt the "closeness" between teachers and students.Whether it's an event or a dance, I really like the atmosphere where people can purely enjoy something together regardless of their position.During special events, and not just the relationship between teachers and students, the interaction between people in the entire faculty is very lively.
We can't all get together this year, but Idiomas has organized an online "El concruso de caraveritas" "skeleton contest", and I've started to see some photos of the Day of the Dead classic "bread and hot chocolate" in posts. Messages such as, "It can't be helped to gain weight, it's about this time of year," have started to flow, and it seems that the "Día de muertos" or "Day of the Dead" is steadily approaching.
Even in such a lively atmosphere, there is an indescribable tranquility at the altars where candles are lit in schools, markets, churches, and homes.Photographs of the deceased are displayed, and traditional Oaxacan food, alcohol, and favorite foods are offered.A path made of marigold petals extends straight from the altar.This common sight is meant to prevent people coming from the world of the dead from getting lost.At the market, the flower petals were spread all the way to the front door, and at the landlord's house, the flower petals were spread all the way to the front door.
When I think about it, marigolds are often planted in Japan, and every time I pass by them after returning home, I feel a sense of wonder.There are many other things that evoke memories of Oaxaca, such as avocados, corn in the garden, and the deep blue sky, but that's for next time!Let's finish with the usual phrases over there!
”Nos vemos, cuidate mucho!”
https://www.facebook.com/IdiomasUABJO20182021/ ←Faculty of Linguistics Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/tutoriasidiomasubajo/ ← There are many photos of the event