Yesterday’s view from my front door…
A late afternoon deluge. This is the rainy season in Oaxaca!
Posts Tagged ‘Oaxaca’
This is rain!
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, rain, rainy season, video on September 4, 2021| Leave a Comment »
A face, a meaning, a history
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, faces, Lord Acton quote, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, Octavio Paz quote, photos, street art, urban art, wall art on August 30, 2021| 8 Comments »
In the first chapter of The Labyrinth of Solitude, Octavio Paz reflects on the face of an old man… “features are seen as a face, and later as a mask, a meaning, a history.”
And John Dalberg-Acton wrote, “History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.”
Rainy season skies
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, clouds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, rainy season, terrace garden, terrace views, trees on August 25, 2021| 6 Comments »
With storms to the north and storms to the south, Oaxaca is stuck in the middle. And the rain keeps falling. Sometimes, the sun peeks through the clouds…
And, sometimes it doesn’t…
Sometimes it rains in the late afternoon, sometimes at night, and sometimes (like today) the rains come on and off throughout the day. ‘Tis the season.
Fruits, veggies, and fungi Fridays
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Culture, Food, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged corn smut, cuitlacoche, fruit and vegetable stand, home cooking, huitlacoche, Mexico, Oaxaca, omelette, photos, popular travel destinations, produce truck on August 20, 2021| 14 Comments »
If it’s Friday, in addition to flowers, it is the day a produce stand sets up just a few blocks away. Mi amiga Kalisa and I stumbled on it during one of our Friday morning walks and little did I know that eight months later I would move nearby and it would become my weekly fruit and veggie vendor.
The stand has both imported and local fruits and veggies. Three weeks ago I couldn’t resist some of the freshest looking huitlacoche I’ve seen.
For the uninitiated, huitlacoche (aka, corn smut) is a fungus (Ustilago maydis) that can attack ears of corn during the rainy season. Here in Mexico it is a delicacy. I sauteed it with some other goodies (see above photo) and used it, along with quesillo (Oaxacan string cheese), to fill an omelette.
One would never guess that, as a child, I was a picky eater!
People in my neighborhood
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged agapanthus, Barrio de Jalatlaco, cut flowers, flower vendor, flowers in a vase, Mexico, Moises flower vendor, Oaxaca, People in Your Neighborhood (song), photographs, popular travel destinations, rosemary, street vendors on August 13, 2021| 11 Comments »
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day
It’s Friday and I wanted to introduce you to my aforementioned flower vendor. His name is Moises and he also sells sprigs of herbs.
Today I bought two bunches of agapanthus and one of romero (rosemary). And, the Sesame Street song, People in Your Neighborhood, keeps spinning around my brain and singing in my heart.
Well, they’re the people that you meet
When you’re walking down the street
They’re the people that you meet each day.
Home delivery
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged alstroemeria, Barrio de Jalatlaco, cut flowers, flowers in a vase, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, roses, street vendors on August 8, 2021| 11 Comments »
One of the delights of my new and improved Casita Colibrí home is that it is located in a real neighborhood — one with the feel of a small town. Most everything I need is available within a few blocks. Then there are the vendors! They traverse the cobblestone streets plying their wares — the gas trucks with their distinctive horns, moos, and jingles blasting from loud speakers, the guy shouting “tamalestamalestamales” so fast that it’s hard to understand at first, the paletas (Mexican popsicle-like frozen treat) vendor pushing his cart and calling “palEtas,” and the flower seller who, after I happened to be at the apartment complex entrance and bought agapanthus and a few lilies, doesn’t even yell “flores” when he arrives every Friday in front of the gate, he now just rings my buzzer.
This week, I bought two bunches of alstroemeria.
The previous week, it was two dozen long-stemmed yellow roses.
The quality is excellent — the roses lasted almost an entire week!
Filling the hearts
Posted in Creativity, Environment, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged artists, artists taking action, Barrio de Jalatlaco, climate action, environmentalism, hearts, iconic imagery, Llano Park, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, plastic recycling, popular travel destinations, recycling, recycling hearts, saving the planet, taking action, urban art on August 3, 2021| 6 Comments »
Recycling in Oaxaca continues — slowly but surely. But, honestly, who can resist filling these hearts around Parque El Llano/Paseo Juarez?
Here in Jalatlaco, we are not asked to separate our trash, but I think I will begin taking my plastic agua mineral (mineral water) bottles down to this heart next to the Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco.
This is a program, begun in 2019, by the city’s Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, a governmental agency charged with strengthening and developing the welfare of the Mexican families.
Few of my favorite things
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Flora, Health, Restaurants, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco Restaurante, coronavirus fallout, COVID-19 fallout, electricity meters, murals, Oaxaca, pandemic precautions, photos, popular travel destinations, restaurants, stencils, street art, urban art, water lilies on July 30, 2021| 14 Comments »
Unsurprisingly, on Monday Oaxaca went back to Covid-19 Semáforo Naranja (orange traffic light) — meaning there is a high risk of contagion of the virus. On Wednesday, it was reported there were 479 new COVID-19 patients, the highest figure of the year.
Unfortunately, having had to run a few errands over the past few days, I haven’t seen any changes in people’s behavior, business/government/museum closings, nor enforcement of the mask wearing mandate — only an announcement by the archbishop that churches would be limited to 25% capacity.
It is demoralizing and infuriating and all I can do is continue to wear a cubreboca (face mask) whenever I’m out and about, practice social distancing, and try to stay sane. As for the latter, I’m choosing to concentrate on and appreciate my favorite things.
We are all tired. However, unless people take this extremely seriously, get vaccinated, and continue to mask up and practice social distancing, “normal” will not return and our fellow humans (including loved ones) will needlessly continue to suffer and die. As a current meme suggests, let us all practice humility, kindness, and community.
Cereusly busy bee
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, tagged bees, flowers, Mexico, Night Blooming Cereus, night blooming flowers, Oaxaca, pollination, rooftop garden, video on July 26, 2021| 2 Comments »
This morning: Four Night Blooming Cereus flowers and one seriously busy bee!
Life in the rooftop garden.
Garden gets its groove back
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Creativity, Flora, Gardens, tagged atrium, container garden, flowers, landscaping a rooftop, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, plants, rooftop garden, succulents, terrace garden, trees on July 23, 2021| 15 Comments »
When last we left Casita Colibrí’s garden, it had weathered Moving days and the plants were Surviving and thriving wherever they had landed at their new home.
Much to the movers’ relief, some (though, not a lot!) of the plants were to remain on the ground floor. With those, it was within my artistic ability to create an entryway and to arrange the palms and other shade-loving plants in my new apartment’s atrium.
However, the landscaping on the rooftop, where the majority of the plants landed, was left to the imagination — as I had neither the strength nor the skill. Consequently, two and a half weeks ago, under a blazing hot and unrelenting sun, my friend and excellent landscaper Jose Ruiz Garcia and his nephew came over to move, position, and re-position trees and succulents and shrubs — oh my!
Most mornings it’s now where I begin my day. With coffee in hand, I cautiously wend my way up the narrow spiral staircase to commune with my plants, listen to the birds sing and chatter, and enjoy this beautiful and tranquil garden that Jose has created. It’s also a perfect setting to sip a glass of wine as the sun sets.
Guelaguetza 2021 virtually yours
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged calendar of events, Guelaguetza, Guelaguetza 2021, Guelaguetza 2021 delegations, List of delegations, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, schedule of events, virtual Guelaguetza 2021 on July 18, 2021| 2 Comments »
Another year of Covid-19 means another year without an up close and personal Guelaguetza on the last two Mondays of July. Like last year performances and events are going virtual. However, unlike last year, when video of the dancing was taken from the years 2017 to 2019, this year the delegations will be performing live from their villages.
La Guelaguetza 2021 schedule of cultural events:
July 19, 2021 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 19, 2021 – – Evening delegations and dances:
July 26, 2021 – Morning delegations and dances:
July 26, 2021 – – Evening delegations and dances:
Transmissions can be viewed at CORTV– on local television, their YouTube channel, and on their Facebook page.
Let’s dance!
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged Dance of the Feathers, dancers, Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Doña Marina, Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Grupo de Promesa de la Danza de la Pluma 2019-2021, La Malinche, Mexico, Moctezuma, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Subalternos, Teotitlán del Valle on July 15, 2021| 6 Comments »
In Teotitlán del Valle, the fiesta honoring Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo is the most important one of the year. It lasts eight days, includes two convites (processions), several special masses, and (in non Covid years) two fireworks’ displays. However, the highlight for visitors and villagers is the four performances of the Danza de la Pluma by the Grupo de Danza de Pluma Promesa.
The Danza de la Pluma is a ritual re-enactment of the Spanish conquest. The full version is told in 41 bailes (dances) and lasts from early afternoon into the night. It is danced by folkloric groups throughout the valley of Oaxaca. However, in Teotitlán, it is a three year religious commitment.
Moctezuma, Danzantes, Subalternos, Malinche, and Doña Marina are selected years in advance and make a promise to their god and, thus, their church and community to learn and perform the dance at each of the four annual major religious festivals in the village and any other special occasion they are called upon to dance.
A 20+ piece orchestra accompanies the dancers, playing a musical score mostly comprised of waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, quadrilles, and schottisches. The first time I saw the Danza de la Pluma, I experienced a bit of cognitive dissonance at the contrast between the costumes and the music. A little research (after all, I’m a librarian) provided the explanation. At the end of the 19th century, when all things European were being celebrated in Mexico, an orchestra playing European music replaced the original indigenous teponaztli (drum) and chirimía (flute).
On two of the days the dancers dance for four hours and the other two, they dance for seven hours. The sun can be brutal and the wind can wreak havoc with the penachos. I don’t know how they do it — their stamina is astounding! I only managed to attend a few hours each at three of the performances. However, I will be back in September for the Natividad de la Virgen María fiesta.
Welcome to the fiesta
Posted in Celebrations, Churches, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged boys, canastas, convite, dancers, Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Doña Marina, drummers, El Picacho, Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, La Malinche, Mexico, Moctezuma, Oaxaca, parade, photos, popular travel destinations, religious celebrations, Subalternos, Teotitlán del Valle on July 9, 2021| 21 Comments »
A much needed pause in nesting at the new Casita Colibrí was in order. Teotitán del Valle’s patronal festival of the Preciosa Sangre de Cristo beckoned. The pandemic had closed the village for many months and precluded attending any of the 2020 fiestas. However, with mask on, I returned to spend three days. First on the schedule was Monday evening’s convite (procession) inviting the community to the fiesta.
The last festival in Teotitlán that I attended, before Covid-19 turned the world sideways, was the Fiesta de La Virgen del Rosario in October 2019. The warm welcome I received at the convite on Monday was incredibly touching and I admit to tearing up a little as it began.
The Move: surviving and thriving
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, tagged Buddha belly plant, Casita Colibrí, Cayenne pepper plant, Flor de mayo, flowers, frangipani, Jasmine flowers, Jatropha podagrica, Mexico, Night Blooming Cereus, Oaxaca, photos, rooftop garden on July 3, 2021| 14 Comments »
Many of my View From Casita Colibrí regular readers have expressed concern regarding how the garden survived the move. I want to assure you, though it desperately needs landscaping, the plants are surviving and thriving in their new home.
Methinks it is, in no small part, due to our daily late afternoon downpours. It is the rainiest rainy season since 2010 — at least that I can remember!
Moving days
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Gardens, Home, Transportation, tagged furniture piled high, garden pots, Mexico, moving boxes, moving day, moving truck, Oaxaca, photos, plants, trees, working for a living on June 29, 2021| 13 Comments »
Yes, that is moving days, plural! However, neither rain nor breakdowns nor dark of night kept Casita Colibrí (the name moved, too) from moving twelve years of furniture, art and artesanía, kitchenware, clothing, books, and massive container garden to its new home.
Day one began at 4:00 PM and consisted of four trips and a little rain to move from the old casita to the new — hauling furniture, boxes, and some of the smaller plants. Some of it was carried down the dicey stairs and some went over the balcony. Needless to say, the crew of five, plus yours truly, were worn out when we called it quits at 10:00 PM.
With all the furniture ensconced in its new home, the task of day two (postponed a few days due to mechanical issues with the truck) was to move the trees, their ginormous pots, the chimenea, and worm-rich barrels of soil that I have been cultivating for several years. It wound up taking two trips and almost four hours to lower the plants, etc. from one rooftop and then hoist them up to another. Oh, and did I mention, having to detour several blocks due to an accident? Another day of sheer exhaustion!
However, when all is said and done, everything arrived safe and sound, save for one cracked pot. Of course, that doesn’t count the sore backs and the revenge of cactus thorns. Willie Delfín and his crew were amazing.
Now the decorating and landscaping fun begins!
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