October 2014
San Diego IN A BOX Continues to Prosper Our friend and IVI’s Destination Managements GSA in Southern California is Lex Lyon, a 40 year veteran of the meeting and incentive industry. Besides assisting IVI DMC2, Lex is owner of San Diego in a Box, a private convention bureau for “Americas Finest City”. Lex advocates the use of qualified DMC’s for your transportation and leisure activities such as our friends at Allied PRA but as we all know, sometimes the use of a DMC is just not feasible. San Diego in a Box is a resource for the finding the finest, most professional, most reliable suppliers servicing the San Diego event industry… these are the companies that the local DMC’s utilize. This resource is free and from the web site you can click directly onto the supplier’s web site. And, if you mention Lex’s name, you’ll be eligible for any special discounts available. www.sandiegoinabox.com
Understanding An Important Mexican Tradition The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated throughout the Americas and combines ancient indigenous traditions and modern fanfare. It's a whimsical and yet serious holiday that primarily takes place between October 31st and November 2nd. Mexico may have the most spectacular festivals in the hemisphere. Well known are festivities in Oaxaca, Michoacan, and Mexico City. Day of the Dead is literally a world away from Halloween. For many Mexicans - and particularly those from Oaxaca - Day of the Dead is the favorite holiday of the year, easily surpassing Christmas. The dead are not in oblivion rather they are considered to be present, therefore, this is a celebration with the dead, not of the dead. Love rules the holiday as relatives get together holding dear the belief that the souls of the departed return to visit them. Family altars arranged with candles are vibrant and showcase the love for deceased. Orange is the most visible color on altars decorated with bright marigold flowers. Trails of the marigolds lead like runways to guide spirits home back to their loved ones. There is an abundance of food and drink, the favorites of the deceased. The living shower the deceased with food and presents, decorate the graves, and recount personal stories of
their dear loved ones.
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