Sometimes, you just have to stop and marvel at the artistry of organ cactus planted against a wall.
The sculptural effects of organ cactus always seem to create a WOW factor.
Posts Tagged ‘popular travel destinations’
Cactus and color inspiration
Posted in Creativity, Flora, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, tagged Mexico, Oaxaca, organ cactus, Pachycerus Marginatus, photos, popular travel destinations on August 17, 2022| 2 Comments »
Rain on the rooftop
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Gardens, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, rain, rain storms, rainy season, rooftop garden, video on August 12, 2022| Leave a Comment »
At long last, thunder is rumbling and rain is pouring down on the highways, byways, and rooftops of Oaxaca. If you look closely, you can see the buckets collecting the runoff from the new pergola.
Oaxaca, a largely agricultural state, desperately needs the rain. Let’s hope it lasts!
Dancing for their faith and their community
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, tagged Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Doña Marina, Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Grupo de Promesa de la Danza de la Pluma 2022-2024, La Malinche, Mexico, Moctezuma, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Teotitlán del Valle on August 1, 2022| 6 Comments »
In Teotitlán del Valle, the dancers of the Danza de la Pluma (Feather dance), make a solemn commitment to their faith and to their community to dance for three years at each of the four major annual religious festivals in their village. 2022 brings a new group and the festival honoring Preciosa Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo the first of their public performances for the residents of their village and visitors. They dance four times during this festival — two half days and two full (7 hours) days.
July 5, 2022…
July 6, 2022…
On the superficial level, the Danza relates the story of the Conquest — the Spanish, Moctezuma, his allies, and Malinche/Doña Maria. But, as is the genius of art, it reaches into our hearts and souls and explores and communicates the truths we know and feel.
In 2022, they will dance again for Natividad de la Virgen María in September, Rosario de la Virgen María in October, and the Fiesta a la Virgen de Guadalupe on December 12.
Guelaguetza time in Oaxaca
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, calendar of events, folkloric dance, Guelaguetza, List of delegations, Live streaming, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on July 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »
After a two-year hiatus, La Guelaguetza is back. Papel (actually, plastic) picado, in the colors of the rainbow, is draped over the streets, Tiliches (iconic participants at Carnaval in Putla de Guerrero and this year’s chosen image to represent Guelaguetza) are hanging around on sidewalks, walls, and rooftops, and the streets are filled with tourists, both foreign and domestic.
This morning, the dancing will begin at the Guelaguetza Auditorium on Cerro del Fortín. The list of delegations by date, time, and the dance they will be performing follows.
Please note, next Monday evening’s performance will include the previously mentioned Teotitlán del Valle, Danza de la Pluma Promesa 2022-2024. If you are not in Oaxaca or, like me, don’t have tickets, you can watch courtesy of CORTV via television, their website, and Facebook live.
Invitation to July
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Travel & Tourism, tagged canastas, convite, Danza de la Pluma, danzantes, Fiesta de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, procession, religious celebrations, Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, Teotitlán del Valle, video on July 22, 2022| 3 Comments »
The annual convite at the beginning of July in Teotitlán del Valle has not only been an invitation to the village’s patronal festival honoring Preciosa Sangre de Cristo. For me, it has also served as an invitation to a month of non-stop celebrations and events — an excuse to set aside my daily routines and chores and, instead, revel in the color and culture on display in the streets of the city and the small towns dotting the valley of Oaxaca.
After almost an hour, the convite and its contingents returned to the church atrium. Their work, of extending an invitation to the festival, is finished — until next time!
Still lifes in Teotitlán del Valle
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Flora, Travel & Tourism, tagged barro rojo, black beans, cactus, comal, metates, Mexico, molcajetes, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, Teotitlán del Valle, Tierra Antigua on July 1, 2022| 6 Comments »
These are the scenes that soothe my soul…
A long weekend spent with my comadres and compadre at Tierra Antigua.
Day in the land of red clay
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Flora, Food, Gardens, People, Travel & Tourism, tagged barro rojo, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, red clay pottery, San Marcos Tlapazola, tlayudas, Valentina Cruz (potter) on June 24, 2022| 6 Comments »
A couple of weeks ago, my friend K and I spent the day in the land of red clay, San Marcos Tlapazola, at the home of potter, Valentina Cruz. I have accumulated quite a collection (though not nearly as much as K) of barro rojo and several of my favorite pieces are by Valentina.
Getting there was quite the adventure. Leaving from Teotitlán del Valle (where I was spending a long weekend), the journey entailed taking a 3-wheeled moto (aka, tuk-tuk) to the highway, catching a bus to Tlacolula de Matamoros, multiple times asking for directions re where to find transportation to take us to Tlapazola, a bit of wandering around, ten blocks of walking, followed by waiting and wondering if we were in the right place. After 1/2 hour, a combi (a glorified pickup truck with wooden benches in the truck bed) arrived and took us up towards the mountains. Needless to say, the bouncing caused by the dirt roads and potholes were felt! Unfortunately, because the back of the truck was covered, we couldn’t even enjoy the views — that had to wait until we finally arrived at Valentina’s home/workshop/store.
The red clay soil isn’t just good for making pottery. Agave, cactus, corn, and squash also seem to thrive under the tender loving care of Valentina and her husband, Don Luis.
When we arrived, Valentina was busy at the tortilla press and comal — making tlayudas (large crispy tortillas) to accompany the chicken soup prepared by her daughter. After we all finished eating comida, we watched as Valentina took out a smooth river rock and began to burnish several pieces. This extra step puts a lovely sheen on her pottery and is one of the things that makes her work stand out.
Of course, I couldn’t resist buying the two horn-playing rabbits (top photo) at the tienda in her home. They join the face with the lid (also in top photo), among my many utilitarian pieces expertly crafted by Valentina. She and her beautiful barro rojo pottery can also be found at the weekly Sunday market in Tlacolula. After this lovely, but long day, we opted for her to call us a taxi to drive back to Teotitlán.
Father’s Day wishes
Posted in Children, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Travel & Tourism, tagged Día del Padre, Father's Day, fathers and children, Mexico, Oaxaca, parades, photos, popular travel destinations, processions on June 19, 2022| 2 Comments »
Happy Father’s Day to all the loving fathers (biological and adoptive), stepfathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles, and father figures everywhere.
Parenting is the most valuable job you will ever have. May you fulfill your role with great love, care, and respect.
Animal crossing
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Music, Signs, Travel & Tourism, tagged crossing sign, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, street art, The Lion Sleeps Tonight (song), urban art, Waffloide (artist), wall art on June 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Returning home from the trip to el norte, I discovered an animal crossing in the works near my local Pitico.
Thanks to the artist, Waffloide, it’s a jungle out there!
Now I can’t get The Lion Sleeps Tonight out of my head.
Another Indian laurel falls
Posted in Environment, Flora, Gardens, Parks & Plazas, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Francisco Verástegui, Indian Laurel tree, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, rain storms, trees, zócalo on June 8, 2022| 6 Comments »
We read the news today, oh boy. Early last night a violent thunderstorm brought gale force winds and torrential rain. It didn’t last long but it took its toll. The beloved giant Indian laurel that provided shade to the concerts, danzón, and other programs “bajo el laurel” on the zócalo toppled to the ground. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The iconic Indian laurels were planted on Oaxaca’s Zócalo and Alameda de León between 1870 and 1880. However, in the thirteen years that I have lived here, I’ve lost count of the number of laurels that have fallen.
As the late artist and heritage tree advocate Francisco Verástegui once explained to me, the trees suffered from damage caused by an aborted remodel of the Zócalo in 2005, along with improper pruning, inadequate irrigation, faulty drainage, and the use of unsterilized mulch leading to the growth of fungus and causing the roots to rot.
I wasn’t the only one to come to pay my respects to this magnificent tree. “Muy triste” (very sad) was the morning’s refrain, as people filed by shaking their heads and others stopped to watch as the body of the Indian laurel was prepared for it’s final resting place.
Hurricane Agatha Hits Oaxaca
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Travel & Tourism, Weather, tagged Hurricane Agatha, Mexico, Oaxaca, popular travel destinations, rain storms, rooftop garden, video on May 31, 2022| 2 Comments »
According to reports, Hurricane Agatha is the strongest to make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast in May since record keeping began in 1949. As of tonight, Oaxaca’s governor said there have been ten deaths and twenty are missing, mostly due to flooding on the coast and mudslides in the mountains. Fortunately, friends living on the coast have marked themselves safe on social media. However, given the images and video I’ve seen posted on Facebook, Twitter, and news websites, the devastation is great and much help will be needed to clean up and rebuild.
Here in the capital city of Oaxaca, up and over the mountains from where the hurricane made landfall, we had steady rain yesterday and today we had a couple of episodes of torrential downpours. In Barrio de Jalatlaco we haven’t been hit with gale force winds, our cobblestone streets haven’t become rushing rivers, and we’ve only experienced intermittent power outages. And, as I write, the Guerreros de Oaxaca baseball game is being played at Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos — I can hear the chants and cheers from the above rooftop.
Doors aren’t just doors
Posted in Buildings, Creativity, Neighborhoods, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, doorways, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, street art on May 24, 2022| 6 Comments »
Like doors everywhere, the doors of Barrio de Jalatlaco are doorways leading to comings and goings, the known and unknown, and the life stories we create from outside and in.
“In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between, there are doors.” -― William Blake
“Creativity means to push open the heavy, groaning doorway to life. — Daisaku Ikeda
“Every doorway, every intersection has a story.” — Katherine Dunn
Dreams of Oaxaca dining
Posted in Culture, Food, Restaurants, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Barrio de Jalatlaco Restaurante, fine dining, Las Quince Letras, Maguey y Maíz, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations on May 17, 2022| 4 Comments »
While visiting el norte, one of my “musts” is taking advantage of the ethnically diverse dining options on the west and east coasts. To date, twice I’ve eaten Japanese at my younger son’s favorite restaurant, had Chinese twice, and dined on Indian twice. However, I’ve now been away from Oaxaca for a month and I’m dreaming Oaxaca dining dreams. Until my return next week, photos from three recent meals I’ve eaten in Oaxaca will have to suffice.
Then there is the street food… tacos, empanadas, tlayudas, oh my!
Street-side signing
Posted in Creativity, Culture, Language, Travel & Tourism, tagged Barrio de Jalatlaco, Braille, deaf artists, Mexico, murals, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, sign language, street art, urban art, wall art on May 10, 2022| 4 Comments »
The walls of Oaxaca always have a lot to say. Now you can learn the abecedario a señas (sign language alphabet) from a wall on 5 de mayo in Barrio de Jalatlaco.
In mid April, this new mural was unveiled. Organized by Maestro Rolando Sigüenza, deaf artists Jonatan Martínez, Juan Antonio García, Moisés Antonio Orozco, María Soledad Aguilar, Blanca Flor Pineda, Miguel Eduardo Mancera, Jesús Ariel Castellanos, Mitzi Scheherazada, Rebeca Casas, Susana Hernánez, Marcial Pérez, Emmanuel Ignacio, Cristhian Yépez, and Ángel Iván Torres painted a mural of the alphabet in sign language and braille.
The text below Benito Juárez explains, “On November 28, 1867, Benito Juárez founded the first school for deaf people in Mexico, which at that time was called the National School for the Deaf, despite the fact that the School was closed, the deaf continue to fight for our rights.”
The owner of the property, la señora Rosario Martínez, said she provided the space so these artists could show their work and to beautify the neighborhood.
Does anyone know what Benito Juárez and the danzante are signing?
My plan is to learn a new letter each time I walk by.
Good Friday in Jalatlaco
Posted in Celebrations, Creativity, Culture, Holidays, Religion, Travel & Tourism, tagged altars, Barrio de Jalatlaco, Easter, Good Friday, Holy Week, Jesus, John the Baptist, La Virgen María, Mary Magdalene, Mexico, Oaxaca, Pascuas, penitents, photos, popular travel destinations, religious celebrations, religious images, Semana Santa, Stations of the Cross, Viernes Santo, Virgin Mary on May 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »
An albeit belated return to Semana Santa (Holy Week). Viernes Santo (Good Friday) in Barrio de Jalatlaco began early in the morning with a Santo Viacrusis along the cobblestone streets — a recreation of the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. Its purpose is to allow the faithful to contemplate the Passion of Christ. The images of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, accompanied by a band and neighbors, stopped at each of the fourteen Stations of the Cross, that had been created throughout the neighborhood, where prayers were recited.
At the fourth station, set up across from the Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco, Mary and John the Baptist (referred to here as, Juan, el primo de Jesús/John, the cousin of Jesus) joined the procession for the farewell encounter between Jesus and his mother.
Following the procession, neighbors gathered in front of Templo de San Matías Jalatlaco for food and beverages that were available for sale at stalls set up on Aldama and Hidalgo. I came home with yummy enchiladas.
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