Pick a color, any color, and you will find it in Oaxaca, be it people…
Places or things…
Today, I choose orange. Tomorrow, who knows???
Posted in Buildings, Food, Markets, Parks & Plazas, Places, Sports, Sports & Recreation, tagged boxing, Boxing ring, Jardín Morelos, market, Mercado IV Centenario, mercados, Mexico, Oaxaca, parks, Plaza de la Danza, renovation project on June 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Last night, under starry skies, I returned to Casita Colibrí. The streets were wet and potholed (more than usual) and even in the dark, my garden looked green and lush, all thanks to the rains Hurricane Carlotta brought and a storm track that continues to have Oaxaca in its sights.
After a verrry slow morning spent renewing my apartment’s acquaintance (remember, no TP in the toilet), gazing at the view, and unpacking, armed with two shopping bags, I headed down to Mercado IV Centenario (my local mercado) for some much-needed restocking, only to find doors locked. Ooops! I’d forgotten, as of mid May it was temporarily relocated to Jardín Morelos, due to a long overdue renovation project. So, down the stairs and across Independencia to the new site, I went. How nice it was to see the familiar faces of my favorite vendors and what warm greetings I received. Ahhh… it’s good to be back!
The route home took me up through the Plaza de la Danza. And, what to my wondering eyes did appear? A boxing ring, boxing fans, and a boxing match in progress. Darn, I neglected to bring my camera. Hey, it was just supposed to be a grocery shopping trip! However, this from my iPod Touch camera.
Concerts, dance exhibitions, fireworks staging site, ferias and now boxing in the Plaza de la Danza. As I’ve said, the public spaces in Oaxaca are well used!
Posted in Buildings, Churches, Parks & Plazas, Places, tagged Gurrion, Jardín del Pañuelito, Little Hankerchief Garden, Mexico, movie set, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, public spaces, Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, wedding procession on May 21, 2012| 3 Comments »
The public spaces of Oaxaca are well-used. The cobblestone-paved Jardín del Pañuelito (Little Handkerchief Garden), that borders the south side of the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, complex is no exception.
Especially on Saturdays, when it is often used for wedding processions…
Occasionally, it is converted into a conference venue…
Frequently, a stage is set up and a concert ensues…
And, last year it was transformed into a movie set!
Posted in Animals, Creativity, Culture, History, Parks & Plazas, Places, tagged art, Benito Juárez, bullfighting, Corrida de Toros, Mexico, Oaxaca, Plaza de la Danza, public art on April 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »
…fighting in Oaxaca.
Corrida de Toros, as it is known in Mexico, was outlawed by, then governor of Oaxaca, Benito Juárez. The ban was instituted throughout Mexico in 1867 by Juárez during his presidency. Some say it was to “civilize” Mexico, but others contend it was for nationalistic reasons, as bullfighting had been a legacy of the Spanish conquest. I tend to think the latter tipped the scales.
However, Porfirio Díaz reinstated it during his presidency, but the ban remained in Oaxaca in honor of her favorite son. And thus, on the Plaza de la Danza, we have only a paper mache bull ready to charge at his shadow…
and serve as a canvas for imagery, ancient and contemporary.
Posted in Buildings, Libraries, People, Places, Signs, tagged Biblioteca Infantil, blind, Braille, Francisco Toledo, Jorge Luis Borges, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, street names, street signs, visually impaired on March 11, 2012| 3 Comments »
About two months ago, new street signs began appearing in Oaxaca on each side of each street corner. Eight signs per each 4-way intersection, in Spanish and Braille, are at hand touch and wheelchair eye level, and provide arrows to make it clear if the traffic flows this way…
… or that.
By the way, Oaxaca has a library for the blind and visually impaired — the Biblioteca Jorge Luis Borges, housed in the Biblioteca Infantil in the Barrio de Xochimilco. Named after the blind Argentine writer, the library was founded in 1996 by world-renowned Oaxacan artist, Francisco Toledo. It houses his collection of books in Braille, a permanent workshop teaching Braille, computers with special programs for the blind, and scholarships to outstanding visually impaired students.