Right on the money, Vail, save for the "most of Latin-American part." Rightly called "All SOULS day" by non-latinos, it corresponded to Catholic holidays. Nov 1 / Nov 2. All Saints Day followed by all Souls day (of course the Saints have to come first). Celebrated primarily in México and those who now live in the US.
When I was a kid, my grandmother (moved from MX to the states, would make a literal shrine in her living room....much as we do with the Red Wings!). Cookies shaped like little skulls were for the kids and tequila or pulque for the adults. ALWAYS a plate for the dead being remembered. In México, we'd do this right in the cemetary of Monterrey.
Originally, it was only the Mexicans or "chicanos" (those that came to the US...topic for another day) that celebrated it but now, like Halloween, it has caught on in many countries. Not exclusively latino / luso (Brazil has something similar) nor Catholic countries either. Really odd.
In Guanajuato (where I spent a lot of time as a child and adult), you CANNOT disassociate the festival (as it IS a celebration of the life of the person rather than a mourning) with the fantastic art of José Guadalupe Posada. Notice how happy they are....reflects the celebration. I have my little shrine all set up.
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by Vaillant 3.0 from Sunday, November 01, 2009 1:30:03 AM)
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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It's basically a day of remembering relatives who have passed away and its a time to celebrate life (correct me if I'm wrong, Guids). Families in Mexico and most of Latin America make food for their dead relatives and place them at the altar or at their graves.
My mom told me on several occasions that she and her family would make the food and place them at the graves of their dead relatives. The next day, the food would be completely gone, and everyone thought the dead came back to life the night before to eat it all up. Later on she discovered that one of her brothers would sneak out and eat the food. 
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Becks wrote: |
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Oooooh what happens on the Day of the Dead?
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! How funny! Bathrobes and pajamas are pretty common Halloween costumes here...although students do show up in their pajamas to school during regular days as well...why, I don't know.
Well, it's now Nov. 1st...no more Halloween here. It's now Day of the Dead in Mexico. 
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Becks wrote: |
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LOL I bet. Here, usually if even teenagers are seen trick treating they're really frowned upon. It's viewed as something for younger kids here, if we gave out treats (which we don't simply because hardly anyone is in to it enough to make it worthwhile) we'd be happy just to see an effort made with costumes - sometimes you see kids going around wearing nothing but those kids towels that have a hood on them. That's not a proper costume! LOL!
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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I got a couple of Reeses' peanut-butter cups, which are awesome. Got a few tootsie rolls, a small bag of kettle corn, and alot of Snickers mini-bars. 
Yeah, trick-or-treating for Halloween is a big thing here in the States. It's mainly for the kids, but it's just as fun doing it as an (almost) adult...although you do get alot of raised eyebrows from the candy-givers. 
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Becks wrote: |
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Haha true. Halloween sounds fun - when everyone is in to it I mean. It's not a custom here, it's only started happening over the last few years, and not many people embrace it. I always wanted to do it as a kid, seeing it on tv and movies LOL. Did you get some good treats?
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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Things are going well. Earlier this evening I went out to do some trick-or-treating with some friends. Then later on I tried to give treats once I was back home, but it seems as though no one likes to go around asking for treats in apartment complexes. 
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Becks wrote: |
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Not a hell of a lot to be honest LOL! Been busy today, driving home from visiting Craig, housework, taking the dog for a run. It was a lovely day weather wise too lol. How's things with you Vail?
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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Ha! Good to see some life around here!!! 
So...what's new over in NZ?
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Becks wrote: |
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I'm alive and have not been attacked by brain-eating zombies 
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Vaillant 3.0 wrote: |
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So...who's alive and not attacked by brain-eating zombies?  |
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Edited at: Sunday, November 01, 2009 9:16:21 AM |
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