Barrio de Jalatlaco | View From Casita Colibrí

Posts Tagged ‘Barrio de Jalatlaco’

Numbers in my neighborhood

Posted in Buildings, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, street numbers, wall art on January 23, 2026| 1 Comment »

In my Jalatlaco neighborhood, from contemporary to whimsical to traditional…

They are the numbers that you meet when you’re walking down the street each day. (Yes, as I wrote, I was humming the Sesame Street song, The People In Your Neighborhood.)

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Missing Viernes Santo

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Neighborhoods, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Good Friday, Holy Week, Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, religious processions, Semana Santa, Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, Viernes Santo, Virgin Mary, Way of the Cross on March 29, 2024| 4 Comments »

Except for the patter of rain and the sound of the occasional car on wet pavement, all is gray and quiet on this Good Friday in my San Francisco Bay Area home. I miss the colorful and creative sights and sounds of Viernes Santo in Oaxaca. Thus, today finds me looking back to the Santo Viacrucis (Holy Way of the Cross) procession last year in Barrio de Jalatlaco on Viernes Santo.

*8th Station of the Cross where Jesús meets the women of Jerusalem.*

*1st Station of the Cross where Jesús is condemned to death.*

7th Station of the Cross where Jesús falls for the second time.

*Jesús carrying the cross through the streets of the Jalatlaco neighborhood.*

*María heading toward her final encuentro (meeting) with her son.*

*Jesús enroute to his final encuentro (meeting) with his mother.*

*María and Jesús in their final encuentro (meeting).*

While I don’t subscribe to any religion, the people of Oaxaca, their devotion, and their creativity in celebrating their faith always moves me.

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Art never dies

Posted in Creativity, Culture, Music, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Dios nunca muere, Macedonio Alcalá, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, street art, urban art, wall art on February 23, 2024| 4 Comments »

Another mural in progress by Bouler in Barrio de Jalatlaco.

The paint, brushes, and song by Macedonio Alcalá (sung by Javier Solis) may proclaim…

God never dies…

But, I think art never dies.

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Neighborhood of kings, cakes, kids…

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Neighborhoods, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, cake, El Día De Los Reyes Magos, Epiphany, los tres Reyes Magos, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, Rosca de Reyes, Three Kings cake, Three Kings Day, Wise Men on January 6, 2024| 3 Comments »

Speakers blared through the streets of Barrio de Jalatlaco yesterday morning announcing a celebration of Día de Reyes Magos in the church atrium at 5 PM. There were photo-ops galore as neighbors gathered; Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar posed; boxes of Roscas de Reyes (Three Kings cake) were delivered; politicians spoke; cake was eaten; and toys were distributed.

Tradition dictates the person(s) finding a baby Jesus figurine hidden in their slice of cake must host a tamalada (tamales party) on February 2nd, Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas). As always seems to happen, I was a “lucky” recipient of the plastic Jesus. Alas, I will be in California. Hmmm… maybe a shopping trip to Cardenas Markets is on the agenda.

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Amate Books is back in town!

Posted in Books, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Amate Books, Barrio de Jalatlaco, bookstores, Catrinas, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on October 23, 2023| 17 Comments »

Attention residents and visitors: After a much lamented three year absence, Amate Books has once again opened its doors to book lovers — this time at Aldama 318, in the hip and happening Barrio de Jalatlaco. Yes, my neighborhood, so I’m especially happy.

The new store is bright and welcoming with well stocked shelves of (mostly) English language fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. In addition, as in the past, there is a carefully curated selection of folk art, small gift items, and (drum roll, please) postcards.

Even La Catrina, in her sartorial splendor, has returned to welcome patrons, old and new.

Today, stepping through the door, being greeted by the smiling face of longtime employee Carmen, and surrounded by knowledge and imagination, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility from the chaos of today’s world. If or when you are in town, make sure to stop by and support this local treasure. The store is open daily. (I’ll post the hours when I know for sure.) In the meantime, a big thank you to Henry Wangeman for reopening Amate Books!

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Shadows — real and imagined

Posted in Creativity, Culture, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Mexico, Oaxaca, papel picado, photos, popular travel destinations, shadows, street art, urban art, wall art on September 12, 2023| Leave a Comment »

On the streets of my neighborhood…

*Calle de Miguel Hidalgo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

*Calle de Ignacio Aldama, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

Papel picado creates delightful shadows — both real and imagined.

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Back in Oaxaca

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, papel picado, photos, popular travel destinations, street art, urban art, wall art, wedding calenda on August 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »

I got out of Dodge (aka, San Diego) last Friday morning, August 18, 2023 — just in time. Happiness was missing the historic arrival in California of Tropical Storm Hilary. Whew!!!

*August 19, 2023 – walking down 5 de mayo in Barrio de Jalatlaco on my way to buy produce at Xiguela.*

*August 19, 2023 – Evening wedding calenda in Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

*August 20, 2023 – mural seen on the way to Mercado de la Merced.*

*August 23. 2023 – View from the swimming pool of Hotel Victoria.*

It’s good to be back.

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Hummingbirds on the walls

Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Berza Remes, Dulce Tamayo, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, Oceane Isla Arte, photos, popular travel destinations, Seth Ruiz, street art, urban art, wall art on August 8, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Life has been pretty good up here in el norte. The joy of having my whole family together has been immeasurable and the weather has been unusually, for this time of year in the San Francisco Bay Area, spectacular. (For those unaware of Northern California coastal weather, I give you the line attributed, albeit falsely, to Mark Twain, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”) Given the sun, blue sky, and warm temperatures, I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors — gardening, eating, and sitting watching the hummingbirds — just like Oaxaca! But I miss the colibries that also can be found on the walls of my neighborhood.

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April “showers”

Posted in Casita Colibrí, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, flooding, freak hailstorm, hail, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rain, thunderstorms, video on April 21, 2023| 8 Comments »

With thunder, lightening, torrential rain, and a massive hail storm, April “showers” heralded the end of the dry season — in a most spectacular way!

The evening of April 14 the city of Oaxaca and surrounding villages were hit with a freak hailstorm. Needless to say, I closed my doors and windows, unplugged critical electronics, and hunkered down inside until the storm had passed — which seemed like at least two hours. When I eventually ventured out, I found the apartment complex patio five inches deep in water, hail piled outside my rooftop laundry room door, and a garden of plants with shredded leaves.

Then two nights ago another massive thunderstorm hovered over us for hours, turning streets into rivers and sending trees toppling all over the city.

Will these April showers bring May flowers?

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Water, water everywhere…

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Cuaresma, Day of the Good Samaritan, Día de la Samaritana, Lent, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on March 19, 2023| 8 Comments »

The day before yesterday, there was water, water everywhere and lots of drops to drink! It was the fourth Friday of Lent, Día de la Samaritana, an “only in Oaxaca” celebration.

*Xocote restaurant on Calle Antequera, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

The Day of the Good Samaritan was inspired by the Gospel of John story in the New Testament when a tired and thirsty Jesus, on his way to Galilee, asks a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well in Sychar for some water. The request was highly unusual because, according to the Old Testament, “Jews regarded the Samaritans as foreigners and their attitude was often hostile.” The woman complied with his request and the rest is history.

*Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos Qualis on 5 de mayo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

Celebrating the Good Samaritan in Oaxaca began in the atria of churches at the end of the 19th century and is a popular and much-loved tradition. People of all ages, from small children to grandparents, line up at bougainvillea and palm decorated booths in front of churches, restaurants, businesses, and schools for the traditional Día de la Samaritana free flavored waters.

*Santa Hierba restaurant, 5 de mayo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

By noon, masses of people had gathered in the atrium of the local church, Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco, where two long rows of tables, under the shade of the tented atrium, were lined with massive bowls filled with colorful aguas on offer. However, I preferred to avoid the crowds and wander through the streets of my Jalatlaco neighborhood.

*Miscelánea Tepeaca, 5 de mayo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

By the way, we are not talking plain water, these are divinely flavored aguas frescas made with fresh fruits, herbs, flowers, and more — jamaica (hibiscus), horchata, chilacayote (squash), tamarindo, sandia (watermelon), and tejate.

*Espacio Ermita Arte y Diseño, Calle Hidalgo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

In the name of the environment, an appeal was made for people to bring their own cups. And, I think a majority complied!

*Asador Bacanora, 5 de mayo, Barrio de Jalatlaco.*

After almost two hours, three aguas, and being surrounded by smiling people enjoying this celebration of generosity, I returned home with my heart full of gratitude for this Oaxacan tradition. I love this day and the message it imparts and the way it brings neighbors together.

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Giving thanks for musicians

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Music, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged bands, Barrio de Jalatlaco, Day of the Musicians, Día de Santa Cecilia, marching bands, Mexico, music, musicians, Oaxaca, parades, photos, popular travel destinations, processions, Saint Cecilia, Teotitlán del Valle, video on November 22, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Why I love Oaxaca, reason number 2,022 — music is heard everywhere and seemingly all the time. November 22 is Día de Santa Cecilia who, among other things, is the patron saint of musicians.

*July 4, 2022 – Convite for the Preciosa Sangre de Cristo patronal festival in Teotitlán del Valle*

*July 23, 2022 – Guelaguetza Desfile Magesterial in Barrio de Jalatlaco*

*July 9, 2022 – Calenda celebrating the anniversary of La Mano Magica Galería in Oaxaca de Juáre*z

*September 16, 2022 – Independence Day parade in Oaxaca de Juárez*

*August 25, 2022 – 35th birthday celebration in Barrio de Jalatlaco*

*August 20, 2022 – Strolling Tuna Band from URSE in Barrio de Jalatlaco*

And, since this post honors musicians, how about a little music…

Traditional teponaxtles and chirimía played outside the panteón of San Antonino Castillo Velasco on Palm Sunday 2022 and brass band in Barrio de Jalatlaco, Oaxaca de Juárez on the 6th Friday of Lent, Viernes de Dolores 2022.

A big muchisimas gracias to musicians all over the world who provide the soundtrack of our lives.

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Ofrendas there and here

Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged altars, Barrio de Jalatlaco, candles, cempasúchitl, Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, flowers, images of the saints, marigolds, Mexico, Oaxaca, ofrendas, papel picado, photos, popular travel destinations, Teotitlán del Valle on November 10, 2022| 8 Comments »

Every Día de Muertos, I love seeing the artistry of public ofrendas, feel honored being welcomed into the homes of friends and placing pan de muertos on their very personal ofrendas, and enjoy assembling my own ofrenda to departed loved ones. (Click on each image to see the details.)