Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Cuaresma decorations, cut paper, decorations, Jardín Sócrates, Jorge Prado (artist), Mexico, Oaxaca, papel picado, photos, popular travel destinations, shadows, stencil, urban art, wall art on March 16, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Looking up never ceases to make me smile, especially when papel picado (cut paper) garlands flutter in the breeze — images with holiday themes, celebrating rites of passage, and advertising local products.
They are even imprinted on walls.
We are in the midst of Cuaresma (Lent), though pandemic restrictions have canceled most public celebrations, we have the Liturgical colors of violet and white papel picado to remind us.
Even the neverías of Jardín Sócrates have gotten into the act.
Posted in Buildings, Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged abandoned buildings, Black and white photography, Día de la Samaritana, decorations, Mexico, Oaxaca, paper flowers, photos, popular travel destinations on April 2, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Even leftover decorations from a Día de la Samaritana agua station in front of an abandoned building are beautiful in their own way.
Seen on García Vigil at the corner of Jesús Carranza.
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Travel & Tourism, tagged baby Jesus, Christmas, Christmas lights, Christmas tree, decorations, flor inmortal, Mexico, Navidad, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on December 7, 2017| 1 Comment »
Artificial Christmas tree vying for top honors with an Indian laurel on the Alameda.
Baby Jesús wearing his flor inmortal diapers in the courtyard between Del Maguey and Los Baúles de Juana Cata.
“Star of wonder, star of light” above Amate Books on the Alcalá.
And, yes, the sky really was that blue today.
Posted in Celebrations, Churches, Creativity, Culture, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged decorations, Domingo de Ramos, Easter, Holy Week, Mexico, Oaxaca, Palm Sunday, popular travel destinations, Semana Santa on April 8, 2017| 1 Comment »
Tomorrow is Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week). In preparation, the palm weavers from the pueblitos of the Mixteca have come down to the city to work their magic and sell their wares under the watchful eye of the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
Ladders have been hauled out onto the sidewalks, so windows and doorways can be decorated in purple and white. Why those colors? You might well ask.
According to The Color Symbolism of Lent and Easter, purple “is a deep, almost night-like color that focuses our attention on the fasting and repentance associated with the Lenten season…. As an act of derision toward Our Lord, Pilate placed a purple robe on Jesus, whom he called “‘King of the Jews’” and white “symbolizes both the bright light of the moment of Resurrection and the purity of God’s love for His People.”
However, the above mentioned website also states that the color of Palm Sunday, itself, is red, “.” I will take note tomorrow when I return to San Antonino Castillo Velasco for their very special way of celebrating Palm Sunday.
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Markets, Travel & Tourism, tagged calacas, calaveras, Día de los Muertos, decorations, Mexico, Oaxaca, ofrendas, photographs, photos, sugar skulls, Tlacolula de Matamoros on October 27, 2015| 6 Comments »
To borrow from Meredith Willson, it’s beginning to look a lot like Muertos…
Everywhere you go.
No “five and tens” here…
Just a street stall set up in Tlacolula de Matamoros.
Beginning to shop for my Día de Muertos ofrenda.
Posted in Celebrations, Holidays, tagged Christmas, decorations, Mexico, Navidad, Oaxaca, Star of David, zócalo on December 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »
…warms the night and the heart.
After a week (plus) of temps that dropped into the high 30s/low 40s during the night (Brrrr… central heating, what’s that?), sun, clear blue sky, and mild evening temperatures have returned. It’s perfect weather for strolling around la ciudad, wandering in and out of artesania shops, doing a little stress-free Christmas shopping, and pausing every once in a while to absorb the scene.
You might have noticed, the angel from Friday’s post successfully ascended the ladder and now graces the top of the stable. And, along with bells and Rudolph, a Star of David hangs on the side of a building. Interesting… this is the first time I’ve seen it as part of holiday decorations. By the way, there are no synagogues in Oaxaca.
Posted in Celebrations, Holidays, tagged Christmas, decorations, Mexico, Navidad, Oaxaca, poinsettias, zócalo on December 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Oaxaca is gearing up for Christmas. Thankfully, it is not (yet) as hectic and commercial as in el norte. Though decorations have been been displayed, front and center, in my local Soriana super-mercado for at least a month, it is only in the last few days that the city’s electricians have been positioning lights on the trees around the zócalo…
to illuminate the welcoming niño.
Lambs have begun appearing…
Angels are being elevated…
Clothing is laundered in preparation for Navidad…
And, thousands of poinsettias have been brought in to add splashes of color to the beds beneath the 130+ year old Indian laurels.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Holidays, Religion, Restaurants, tagged Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, Días de Muertos, decorations, La Olla, Mexico, Oaxaca, restaurants, skeletons on October 25, 2011| 1 Comment »
Decorations have begun going up around town and, at this time of year, La Olla offers the complete dining experience…
A warm welcome from the hostess.
Waiters standing ready to take your order.
And, una mariposa hanging out, ready to wish you “¡buen provecho!”
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 