If you are not going to be in the beautiful Dordogne, or even in France over the next few months, it better be because you are participating any one of these amazing events worldwide that is there for your enjoyment!
If you leave right now, you can be in Mexico for the Day of the Dead.
On the 1st and 2nd of November, every year, Mexico has their famous commemoration of the dead - el día de los muertos - it is both a joyous and touching celebration. In Oaxaca, the people remember their ancestors by decorating the cemeteries, praying, singing, eating and drinking there through the night.
The festival's origins lie in pre-Hispanic Mexico, when a month was dedicated to commemorating the spirits of the dead. After Christianisation, it was moved from July/August to coincide with the Christian feast days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day in November.In Oaxaca, like most of Mexico, there are two days of the dead: the Día de los Angelitos on 1 November, dedicated to the souls of children who have died; and Día de Los Muertos on 2 November, dedicated to the spirits of the adult dead.
The preparations for the festival begin weeks in advance, shops filling with decorative paper skulls, morbid little lanterns, costumes, plastic skeletons and themed candy, like white chocolate skeletons. Often cemeteries are decorated and favourite food and drink of the deceased taken there, along with a photograph of them.
On the Día de los Angelitos, cherished toys and other objects are brought out and placed on altars in the home. The spirits of the little-ones are invited to come and partake of the feast, and often a place is set for them at the table.
The second day is the main day of the celebration, and is marked with street colourful events in the Xócalo main square, Palace Museum, restaurants in the Old Town and most of the theatres. Much of the day is spent in cemeteries, and there is a traditional communion meal in the evening. You'll also find public altars throughout the city, along with flower offerings, concerts and the wafts of chicken with chocolate and tomato mole sauce.
On your way to Mexico, why not stop off in Pushkar for the annual Camel Fair -- another unmissable annual event!
Pushkar Camel Fair : 25 Oct - 2 Nov 2009 (annual)
The peaceful lakeside town of Pushkar fills to bursting during this unmissable annual event. Originally intended to attract camel and cattle traders to do business during the Katrik Purnima festival, Pushkar Camel Fair has grown into a major tourist attraction.
(Pic: The one that got away!...)Indians flock with their camels to the small town on the edge of the Thar Desert a week in advance of the Pushkar Camel Fair, which officially lasts for a few days around the full moon. The highlight of the fair is undoubtedly the camel racing, which takes place amidst singing and dancing in the amphitheatre. In addition, camels, sporting ornamental saddles and head-dresses adorned with ribbons, are bought and sold. Although the fair is traditionally a sideline to the main Hindu festival, the carnival atmosphere makes the event accessible to all.As well as being able to ride on camels or in carts, it is also possible to arrange camel treks into the surrounding desert with, well, just about anyone that you meet in Pushkar. At festival time the streets are overrun with tourists, travellers, hawkers, painted and bizarrely contorted sadhus (holy men), children, animals and bicycles - all of Indian life concentrated in one mass, funnelled through the narrow streets of the town.
Once the Pushkar Camel Fair is over, life in Pushkar returns to normal. The town is peaceful and, without hordes of people, a very beautiful place to stay - countless hotels have rooftops on which to soak up the sun and enjoy the sight of locals flying kites high over the surrounding hills.
If you have never had the pleasure of visiting Cologne during their Carnival time, NOW is the time to go! :
Cologne Carnival : 11 Nov 2009
The Cologne Carnival is one of the biggest street parties in Europe. The famous Altstadt (old town) is transformed into a dazzling and colourful celebration, with what seems like the entire population of the city in fancy dress.
Prepare for lots of dancing and partying in the streets, pubs and bars and plenty of Kölsch, the delicious local beer. At 11.11am on 11 November, Germany's "fifth season", Karneval, begins and the whole country goes barking mad.
The craziness reaches its real climax the week before Ash Wednesday. At 11.11am on 11 February the main carnival week in Cologne is declared officially open with the Women's Carnival Day, when the women of Cologne are deemed in charge of the city. On Carnival Sunday (14 February) a parade of local school children takes place. Then on Monday 15 February it's the turn of the main event (known in Germany as Rosenmonntag), when a cavalcade of groups with fabulously decorated lorries, tractors and bands starts out on a six-kilometre route through the centre of Cologne. Keep an eye out for the lorries carrying huge effigies lampooning Germany's politicians.The day after (Shrove Tuesday), various parades take place in Cologne's suburbs, but if you're unaccustomed to partying Cologne-style you should probably just prepare for a hangover instead! It all draws to a more sedate close on Ash Wednesday when the tradition is to eat fish - pick any pub or restaurant on this day and you'll find it on the menu.
Cologne is said to be "the most Mediterranean" city in Germany. During the period of the Carnival, this hot temperament - usually hidden - comes to the surface. Get to know this facet of Germany, and celebrate with the locals during their biggest party of the year.
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