I’m bidding a fond, but with a hint of “good-riddance to bad rubbish,” farewell to 2021. In truth, I’m trying not to view the recent piles of basura (garbage) in the streets and bloqueos (blockades) by the garbage collectors as a metaphor for this past year of pandemic, fires, floods, and general pandemonium in the world.
Long walks around the city sufficed to fill my need to “travel” until the spring when my world expanded — with untold gratitude to scientists for their work in developing vaccines to help protect us from worst case Covid-19 scenarios. After fourteen months, armed with the vaccine, cubrebocas (face masks), caution, and excitement, I began venturing out of the city (even up to el norte twice), spending time with family and friends, and actually attending activities and events in person, not just via Zoom. It was almost, but not quite, like normal — and it was good!
January 17, 2021 – Templo y Convento de San Francisco de Asís Oaxaca
February 7, 2021 – Tapete woven by Mario González Pérez; Sangre y Herencia exhibition at Hotel Casa Antigua.
March 8, 2021 – Busy street corner in the city.
April 2, 2021 – La Morada de Colibrí, one of my favorite stalls at Pochote Xochimilco Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal.
May 26, 2021 – Rooftop art in Barrio de Jalatlaco.
June 25, 2021 – Bike rally passing the ADO bus station — saying “No to violence against women” by students from Colegio Superior para la Educación Integral Intercultural de Oaxaca.
July 13, 2021 – Outside wall of La Mano Magica Gallery/Galería promoting the Shinzaburo Takeda exhibition.
August 1, 2021 – Guerreros baseball game dining at Estadio de Béisbol Lic. Eduardo Vasconcelos.
September 4, 2021 – Tree down on Czda. de la República after strong winds and very wet rainy season.
October 19, 2021 – “No Llores Por Mi” sculpture by a Santa María Atzompa artist — Día de Muertos exhibition at ARIPO.
November 1, 2021 – Neighbor weeding and cleaning the street in preparation for the evening’s Muerteada.
December 12, 2021 – In honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe, the last dance by Danza de la Pluma de Teotitlán del Valle, Promesa 2019 – 2021.
Feliz año nuevo y muchisimas gracias to all my wonderful blog readers for “hanging in” and for your encouraging comments during these challenging times — it means the world to me! May 2022 be kinder to all and bring you peace, joy, and health.
Thanks so much for your posts. I love your photos and your writing. I’m continuing with my Tea in a Caboose stories which are mostly from my photo archives, with occasional more current material, i.e. my last post with grandchildren. My Oaxaca stuff tends to be from years past and lightly superficial since most of my readers don’t know the city and many don’t travel.
We hope to arrive Feb 1 till early March, but I have a question for you if you have a few minutes… How are things there??!! Any reason we should cancel?? re covid and life there. My sense is that it’s not much difference from here in SK. It seems that life carries on, with the usual precautions. I expect life may be quieter, less art openings, San Pablo concerts, etc. But OLL seems to be going again. We like to get out of the city, usually by bus or colectivo. Maybe taxies now? I don’t know what I expect you to say…. any comments? the general feeling you get from friends and acquaintances there?
Things can change and I’m not looking for any guarantees, just a perspective from someone who lives there. My mexican friends say it’s all fine.
I plan to be on that plane from Calgary! We’re triple vaccinated on course and generally careful.
Happy New Year’s Eve to you in lovely Jalatlaco.
-Jean
PS Espero que se acaben con los bloqueos y la basura en la calle. Pero así es la vida en Oaxaca.
> On Dec 31, 2021, at 2:36 PM, View From Casita Colibrí wrote > >
I think my answer would have been different if I’d answered you promptly. I don’t know what to say now. I’m triple vaccinated, always wear a KN95 mask, when I’m out, and rarely eat at restaurants and then, only open air. However, a week ago, I attended an event on a rooftop terrace. I knew most people in attendance and felt safe being around them. I stayed masked except when eating. 3 1/2 days later, I came down with all the symptoms of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Reports from today are that Oaxaca doubled active COVID-19 infections in two days. In addition, it has been found that the nasal antigen tests are not good at picking up Omicron, so, no doubt, the numbers are much much higher. I’m not counted because my test (done by a lab) was negative, but the symptoms are undeniable.
I’m very sorry, but my advice is, even triple vaccinated, I wouldn’t encourage anyone to travel right now.
Wouldn’t mind reading your answer to this comment. I’ll be coming Jan. 14 only for 10 days. But the same questions have occurred to me as well. Thanks.
Happy New Year to you! La Morada de Colibrí is right in front as you walk into the Pochote Xochimilco Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal; Calle Almendros 417 col. Reforma, Oaxaca de Juárez; open Friday through Sunday.
Happy New Year Shannon! I adore your photos and commentary. It always makes me yearn to come back to Mexico. We have not been on a plane since January 2020 and I miss traveling so much. The news of flight cancellations and delays has us reluctant to even try in these winter months. So I will live vicariously through your blog!
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View From Casita Colibrí 
Thanks so much Shannon for your wonderful pictures and writing.You’re such an experienced blogger! and an inspiration.
Thank you for your very kind comments. However, I must confess, I’m just winging it! 😉
Your pictures are super — except they make me miss Oaxaca so much!
Thank you Devik! Perhaps you can return in 2022.
Hi Shannon
Thanks so much for your posts. I love your photos and your writing. I’m continuing with my Tea in a Caboose stories which are mostly from my photo archives, with occasional more current material, i.e. my last post with grandchildren. My Oaxaca stuff tends to be from years past and lightly superficial since most of my readers don’t know the city and many don’t travel.
We hope to arrive Feb 1 till early March, but I have a question for you if you have a few minutes… How are things there??!! Any reason we should cancel?? re covid and life there. My sense is that it’s not much difference from here in SK. It seems that life carries on, with the usual precautions. I expect life may be quieter, less art openings, San Pablo concerts, etc. But OLL seems to be going again. We like to get out of the city, usually by bus or colectivo. Maybe taxies now? I don’t know what I expect you to say…. any comments? the general feeling you get from friends and acquaintances there?
Things can change and I’m not looking for any guarantees, just a perspective from someone who lives there. My mexican friends say it’s all fine.
I plan to be on that plane from Calgary! We’re triple vaccinated on course and generally careful.
Happy New Year’s Eve to you in lovely Jalatlaco.
-Jean
PS Espero que se acaben con los bloqueos y la basura en la calle. Pero así es la vida en Oaxaca.
> On Dec 31, 2021, at 2:36 PM, View From Casita Colibrí wrote > >
I think my answer would have been different if I’d answered you promptly. I don’t know what to say now. I’m triple vaccinated, always wear a KN95 mask, when I’m out, and rarely eat at restaurants and then, only open air. However, a week ago, I attended an event on a rooftop terrace. I knew most people in attendance and felt safe being around them. I stayed masked except when eating. 3 1/2 days later, I came down with all the symptoms of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Reports from today are that Oaxaca doubled active COVID-19 infections in two days. In addition, it has been found that the nasal antigen tests are not good at picking up Omicron, so, no doubt, the numbers are much much higher. I’m not counted because my test (done by a lab) was negative, but the symptoms are undeniable.
I’m very sorry, but my advice is, even triple vaccinated, I wouldn’t encourage anyone to travel right now.
Wouldn’t mind reading your answer to this comment. I’ll be coming Jan. 14 only for 10 days. But the same questions have occurred to me as well. Thanks.
See my answer above to Jean Cyca. I’m very sorry, I know you’re scheduled to travel in a week, but I would really urge you to postpone your trip,
Joyous new year to you! Love your photos. I’d like to visit La Morada de Colibri. Is that in Oaxaca Centro?
Happy New Year to you! La Morada de Colibrí is right in front as you walk into the Pochote Xochimilco Mercado Orgánico y Artesanal; Calle Almendros 417 col. Reforma, Oaxaca de Juárez; open Friday through Sunday.
Happy New Year, Shannon! I love your blog, and wish you every good thing in the new year!
Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Year Shannon! I adore your photos and commentary. It always makes me yearn to come back to Mexico. We have not been on a plane since January 2020 and I miss traveling so much. The news of flight cancellations and delays has us reluctant to even try in these winter months. So I will live vicariously through your blog!
Happy New Year to you Sandi!