I love Sunday market day in Tlacolula de Matamoros — the people, colors, food, cacophony, and frequent surprises speak to the life of Oaxaca. So, after returning Saturday night from two weeks in el norte, I jumped at the suggestion by blogger buddy Chris that we go to Tlacolula the next day. It did not disappoint.
Carnival rides were being set up where we frequently park and, in the usually deserted patio of the modern chapel at the intersection, several men were hard at work fashioning decorations. We peered from behind the wrought iron fence but were quickly invited in. They explained they were preparing for a festival honoring the chapel, the Capilla de la Cruz, all the while continuing to weave flowers out of a spiky, sword-like plant.
Especially during the Easter season, I’ve seen these flowers fashioned from palms, but these definitely were not palm.
Once home, I couldn’t resist doing a little research (I’m a librarian, after all!) and discovered it was a species of Dasylirion (aka, Sotol, cucharilla, desert spoon). I can’t imagine what those spikes lining the sides of the leaves must do to their hands!
It was such fun talking with these guys and watching their nimble, practiced fingers at work. After two weeks away, what better way to get back into the swing of things in Oaxaca? And, the market was still to come.
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