Father Miguel Hidalgo

As if by osmosis, Mexican-Spanish is creeping into my daily language.  My city of temporary residence is San Miguel de Allende, proudly proclaimed by locals to be “Mexico’s Corazon”.  This is Mexico’s heart for at least two reasons.  It is as near the geographical center as you can possibly estimate in an odd-shaped country like this, and it was the beating heart of The Mexican War of Independence, finally ending the occupation by the Spanish Empire nearly two centuries ago.

Spirits of the dead are arriving to reunite with their loved ones.  Few living souls can see them, but there is little doubt that the deceased walk among us.  We feel their presence on this Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) here in the corazon (heart) of Mexico.  San Miguel de Allende is ground zero for this celebration, and here is where you’re likely to encounter La Calavera Catrina; the elegantly clad skeletal lady who waltzed out of a Diego Rivera mural to become the embodiment of those who’ve departed, and an icon of Mexican culture.