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Pacanda
Pacanda is a small island in Lake Patzcuaro in the central Mexican state of Michoacan. The island has a small village with about 400 residents. The island is a tranquil traditional hamlet known for its Purhepecha indigenous culture, particularly its strong Day of the Dead traditions.
Understand
[edit]Folklore
[edit]Local Purhepecha lore holds that Pacanda (which means "place to stay", despite having no places for a modern traveler to stay) got its name when the Spanish conquistadors first invaded the area. Over in the royal palace of Tzintzuntzán, king Huitzimengari caught a look at one of the hot Spanish women and quickly lost interest in his wife, Princess Mintzita. Mintzita wasn't going to sit around being shunned, so she crossed the lake to stay on Pacanda, where she spoke to the spirits of the Moon and the Sun beseeching them to help her spice up her looks so she could get her husband back. The spirits answered her prayer by giving her a total makeover complete with a new wardrobe that would be the model for traditional Purhepecha dress of the future.
Get in
[edit]
The closest airport with commercial flights is in Morelia (MLM IATA).
From Morelia, Purhepecha and other bus lines offer frequent service to Patzcuaro. From Patzcuaro, take a boat to Pacanda. Boats depart from both the San Pedrito Pier (a 45-minute trip with stops at other islands) and from the Ucasanástakua pier (a 15-minute direct trip).
- 1 Muelle (Dock), Pacanda. Passenger boats returning to Patzcuaro.
Get around
[edit]It's a small island and everybody walks everywhere, particularly since there are no cars on the island.
See
[edit]
- 1 Iglesia de Pacanda (Pacanda Church), Pacanda. Small community church with plain decoration and a quiet, somber interior.
- 2 Panteon de Pacanda (Pacanda Cemetery), Pacanda. The town's cemetery gets crowded on Noche de los Muertos (Night of the Dead, November 1) when people come for the traditional celebration of Day of the Dead, with offerings (ofrendas) set up for the departed souls.
- 3 Plaza Principal (Zocalo), Pacanda. The town square is a well-tended garden with a few benches, paved walkways, and a friendly dog named "Chalupa" who will follow you around.
- 4 Laguna (Lagoon), Pacanda. Really more of a pond than a lake, unless it's been dry lately, in which case it's more like a puddle. When the water levels are up, a few ducks stroll over from the lake and swim around looking for food scraps.
Do
[edit]Chill. Waste a little time, walk around town for the 10-minute tour. Wait for the next boat back to the mainland.
Buy
[edit]There are no stores on the island.
Eat
[edit]There are no restaurants on the island, though an enterprising local entrepreneur sometimes sets up a food stand near the church.
Drink
[edit]There are no bars on the island, but there is usually someone with an ice chest selling soda and bottled water near the dock.
Sleep
[edit]There are no hotels on the island. Places to sleep can be found on Janitzio, in the town of Patzcuaro and at various inns around the lake.
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