Because last year’s fair was so much fun and I’m still loving my lampshades, blogger buddy Chris and I returned to San Juan Guelavia yesterday for the 5th Feria del Carrizo. Upon arriving, our first surprise was being directed to a dirt estacionamiento (one of my favorite words, means parking lot) next to, what looked to be, a rodeo arena. It was quickly followed by surprise number two: The plaza crowded with people — at least ten times the number as last year! Aside from two friends who were leaving (arms filled with purchases), we didn’t see many extranjeros. However, we ran into several friends from Teotitlán del Valle and Tlacolula and at lunch sat across from some visitors from Mexico City.
We arrived just in time for the official ribbon cutting that signaled the opening of the fair. We didn’t recognize any of the dignitaries, though most everyone else did and masses of cell phones rose high in the air to record the event. Once the ceremonial duties were done, chairs were pushed back and a children’s folkloric dance group marched in to the familiar music of the China Oaxaqueña delegation heard during La Guelaguetza. There was even a mini-torito (toritito?) wired with fireworks that was lit, though one of the little girls didn’t appear too thrilled. And, as we wandered around, we could hear music that we recognized from some of the other regions of Oaxaca and we caught glimpses of more of the kids dancing.
Unfortunately, woven plastic baskets have become a more common sight at the markets in the valley of Oaxaca. So, the growing popularity of the fair is good news for a community that has seen a decline in the demand for their beautiful handcrafted baskets made from carrizo (aka, Arundo donax, Spanish cane, Giant cane, Wild Cane, and Colorado River weed) — a tall perennial cane that grows along river banks in Oaxaca. Besides traditional baskets and bird cages, the artisans have branched out to making lamps and shades, weaving decorative bottle covers for your mezcal, fashioning toys, and much more. Naturally, I again couldn’t resist and happily came away with a new hamper.
The Feria del Carrizo is also happening next Sunday, February 7. SO, if you are in the neighborhood (San Juan Guelavia is only about 40 minutes east of the city), I highly recommend a visit and be sure to also stop at the tiendas on road into town — that’s actually where I bought my new hamper (above).
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 