Did you know?

That Mitt Romney's father, George, was born right here in Mexico?  Yes, in 1907 in the Mormon colonies, settlements located near the Sierra Madre mountains in northern Mexico which were established by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning in 1885. Many of the original colonists came to Mexico due to federal attempts to curb and prosecute polygamy in the United States. The towns making up the colonies were originally situated in the states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and were all within roughly 200 miles of the US border. By the early 20th century, many of these were relatively prosperous. However, in the summer of 1912, the colonies were evacuated due to anti-American sentiment during the Mexican Revolution and many of their citizens left for the United States and never returned. Some colonists did eventually return to their settlements, but today only Colonia Juárez and Colonia Dublan in the Casas Grandes river valley remain active. The Colonia Juárez Chihuahua México Temple, built in 1999, is located in Colonia Juárez, and is currently the smallest temple the LDS Church operates.

From wikipedia 
I am sure the media just missed this somehow.

Posters

Posters appear and disappear at a rapid pace.
I always wonder if other places have such a vibrant poster/graffiti scene.

"Exploiters of the gift."  "Exploiter to the Gallows" (Thx to the commenter for the correction.  Ay, mi español.  Obviously, now it  makes much more sense) Note the details:  the rat on the head, the cross in the hand, the swastika and heart on the ankles.

"Charity"

How did they get them up there?

A sexy tango with Jesus on the side.  I love how the metal frame holds it in.

Of course, on the other end, there is someone who needs to scape the stuff off.

It is a never-ending cycle.

¡Qué diferencia!

What a difference a week makes.  Last Thursday.

Today.

Leaving some to ask, "Where did they all go?"

Watch it!

Barafunde Thurston (Jack Turner) says it all.  I hope this video goes viral.  Please pass it on.

El general

That's what is says one this cabellero's shirt. 

Not only is it graphically complex, it has lots of rhinestones or sequins. Click on it to embiggen it.

Seriously? .... no, seriously .... no

Does the US realize how absurd this "birth certificate" stuff looks like from the rest of the world's perspective? Imagine it happening in another country. 

I do believe there is an orchestra of Neroes fiddlin' away.

Mixed message

The tag reads "Jail to those who threw their trash here."

Some feel that way about graffiti.

Passport to Insanity..... or is it Inanity?

From Consumer Traveler

If you don’t want it to get even harder for a U.S. citizen to get a passport — now required for travel even to Canada or Mexico — you only have until Monday to let the State Department know.

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for some passport applicants: The proposed new  Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information.  According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”

The State Department estimated that the average respondent would be able to compile all this information in just 45 minutes, which is obviously absurd given the amount of research that is likely to be required to even attempt to complete the form.

 Are you kiddin' me?  Wake me when this bad movie is over.

Tiene hambre?

These from the mercado in nearby Etla, which is so famous for its cheese.  The queso fresco with the herbs and chiles is nice and firm and quite spicey.  The quesillo is the local string cheese and melts better than any other cheese I know.  The little mangos have a tiny sliver of a seed and the aguacate...perfecto!

Easter - La Pascua de Resurrección

This is a shot from a few years ago up on Garcia Vigil. 

With the street renovations it disappeared and was replaced with this.

La Procesión del Silencio

The crowds were too large to get near anything, so I and sister Oaxacan blogger, S (The View from Casa Colibri) cut over to Garcia Vigil and awaited the procession as it headed back.  The crowds weren't even crowds, just a few spectators.  The sun was getting low so shooting was tough, but this year daylights savings has kicked in, so at least it was not dark as it was last year.
It is ethereal to watch this celebration in silence, really moving at times.  The images can speak for themselves.

  

El Viernes Santo - Good Friday

One of the highlights of Semana Santa is la Procesión del Silencio which begins late in the day on Good Friday.  The procession winds its way through several neighborhoods and has groups from various parishes, all of whom carry pieces from their churches.  The crowds swell in front of la iglesia, La Preciosa Sangre de Cristo on Alcalaas the start approaches. 

Banners that will be carried through the streets.

Each one unique and ornate.


Hooded men await the beginning of a tough trek.  They will carry these heavy crosses the entire way.

It is a tense time.

Again, these crosses are very heavy.

This man carried more than a cross.  Tattoos on both front and back.

 
Can I help, papa?

Glorious in red.

The brides await.


As the sun gets lower, the start gets closer.


The figures get carried out of the church.

Each figure is a dramatic and poignant representation.

Next, the procession............