Last Thursday my BFF took me on an out-of-the-city birthday excursion. She hired a by-the-hour driver, picked me up a little after 9:00 AM, and off we went. Our first stop was Ocotlán de Morelos and besides wandering through the mercado, we stopped at the Municipal Palace to take in the magnificent murals painted by Rodolfo Morales in 1955 celebrating the four hundredth anniversary of the founding of Ocotlán. The murals, which honor its beauty, bounty, and people take up the entire room, including the ceiling.
Next on the day’s agenda was San Antonino Castillo Velasco. As its murals remind one, this is a town famous for its floral embroidery and empanadas de amarillo. I should add, it is also known for Taller Manos Que Ven, the home and workshop of clay sculpture Don José Garcia Antonio (aka, the Blind Potter) and his lovely wife and inspiration, Doña Teresita de Jesús. We did a little clothes shopping (thank you, Miriam Campos), ate empanadas, and stopped in to say “hola” to the aforementioned, Don José and Doña Teresita — where we also made a couple of purchases.
Our final stop of the day was for comida at the new open air restaurant and vivero (nursery), Almú, set in a reforestation campo (field) in San Martín Tilcajete. Murals throughout the town reflect a village celebrated for its woodcarving and colorful painting of masks and alebrije and where moto taxis (tuk-tuks) are a common form of transportation for locals.
It was a delightful, delicious, and art filled day!
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Hope you birthday was as wonderful as these murals. Such a birthday treat! And such beautiful murals. I will be in Oaxaca early March and would like to do same trip. I will email you to find out more details and driver info.
Yes, it was!
Loving the apron layering —
It’s the new style! 😉
I really enjoyed your birthday “day out of the city” photos and excursion idea. I’m headed to Oaxaca the first week of March and would like to replicate your day trip. What day of the week is the market open?
Did you like your driver? If so do you have contact information of your driver? It’s always good to get a referral on driver. Here’s to many, many more birthday celebrations with our very best friends and new friends to me in our future! ❤️❤️🥳
Thank you and happy belated birthday!
Lee Margraf. Tivoli102@yahoo.com
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The mercado in Ocotlán is open every day. However, “market day” with all the extra vendors is Friday. We love our driver and have used him many times. Vidal Cruz Vásquez: cell # 951 164 7379. His car is spotless, he disinfects after each customer, is fully vaxed, and wears a mask.
Hola! I really enjoy your blog-such beautiful photos and thoughtful commentary. I’m curious about the sign behind the woman making empanadas. If I’m translating correctly, it means “I don’t trust because I have lost friendship, money and clients”. Is there a particular meaning or story behind the sign? Maybe like not giving food on credit? I’m always interested in the lives of the people in the photographs. Saludos, Rebecca
We didn’t ask her about the sign. However, we did discuss that she was forced to move from her old location, so perhaps the sign refers to that.
What a lovely day trip. I’m interested in the Ya No Fio sign behind the señora with the empanada de amarillo. Did you get a sense of her feelings about this?
We didn’t ask her about the sign. However, we did discuss that she was forced to move from her old location, so perhaps the sign refers to that.
No fio refers to selling on credit.
I see my friend and driver (highly recommended) Vidal!
Yes, it was Vidal; we love him!
It looks like you had a wonderful day. Happy Birthday.
Thank you. It was a lovely day!
What a great day for both of you!
It always feels good to get out of the city!