[Music]
every year as October ends Mexico turns
its thoughts to those no longer with us
during the colorful Day of the Dead
Fiesta which is deeply rooted in
indigenous culture even here in Cancun
where US influence permeates it's a
sacred time to remember friends and
relatives who have passed on
but this much-loved tradition is under
threat from a precocious American cousin
Halloween the culture clash is on full
display especially at raucous costume
parties and the pulsating bars and
discos springing from similar roots and
celebrated at the same time the two
couldn't be more different
the Catholic Church condemns Halloween
for being more about making a buck than
paying respects but Mexicans ever
looking to their northern border for
inspiration have embraced it as their
own kids here have even adopted
trick-or-treating some Mexicans fear
Halloween could eclipse the Day of the
Dead altogether
but a visit to a downtown cemetery
proves that the old tradition is very
much alive families visit their loved
ones tombs to keep them company
on this special day for Mexicans death
is just another part of life in fact
it's more cause for celebration than for
mourning folks spend time sprucing up
graves with a splash of color and
engaging the departed in ongoing
conversation it's as if they've never
really left for now at least this is a
pumpkin free zone
[Music]
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