Happy Ween!

October is my hands down favorite month and not only because it’s the host month for my birthday, October 2nd, which I share with Mahatma Gandhi, Annie Leibovitz and Donna Karan! PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) and crisp autumn air, candy corn and boot shopping (finally!) – what’s not to love!?

In the midst of savoring all that’s ghoulish and garish, I hope you’ll check out my article on a rare and wonderful opportunity I stumbled upon: spending the Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Difuntos, at Cementerio de la Almudena, Cusco, Peru’s oldest and largest ossuary. Tradition holds that on this day the souls of our ancestors return to earth to visit with their loved ones. The eve of November 1st through sunset on November 2nd finds Peruvian families flocking to cemeteries to honor their dearly departed with music and dancing, picnics and toasts. What a privilege it was to join them!

Photo by Hope C. Tarr.