This is so Oaxaca....

Canastas, baskets, filled with flowers, no doubt for some celebration.  Perhaps a calenda, a wedding, a performance, but no matter what, dancing, definitely, will be involved.

I love this place - Flat tire edition

I woke up to discover a flat tire this morning.  No big deal.  I put on the spare and drove just down the road to the very first tire place I saw and in twelve minutes my flat was repaired and back on the car.  They noticed I was missing a hubcap and they had an extra that fit.  Total cost $100 MP, about $5 US.  All thanks to this gentleman and his two fellow workers.

That's one of the things I love about this place.  Car problems are so easily taken care of and always with a smile and a great price.  So different from El Norte.  Yay!!

Mural, Mural, on the wall....

There are some beautiful new murals adorning the walls of the market in Tlacolula.

They cover the entire left side of the main entrance.  And, of course, there are so many iconic images of the market and Tlacolula, like the breads that are just on the other side of that wall.

Cacao and chocolate.....

Into the traditional oven...

We were lucky to see one of the three artists who created these wonderful murals.

Marmotas, the globes, baskets, the traditional traje... and the ladies from San Marcos with their barro rojo..... perfecto!

Not to mention the Feria de Mezcal, Nieves and Vinagre which ends today.

Magic nails...

Magic nails!... I needed some for a construction project... oh, wait.

Tejate time...

What a wonderful sight, right near Santo Domingo, on the Alcala,  the pedestrian walkway, a Feria de Tejate, with at least a hundred women from nearby San Andres Huayapam, the village most famous for this pre-Hispanic drink.

It is a complex concoction that requires much time and effort. Ingredients include toasted maize, fermented cacao beans, toasted mamey pits and flor de cacao.  And look at the size of that bowl!

It is very popular here.  The Queen was there...

And some princesses, too.

And not only something to drink, but lots of chocolate goodies.

Oh, the temptations.

Here's a link to more info and a recipe. If you hurry, you can still grab a glassful..

Float like a butterfly...

A magical moment from the Jarabe Mixteca in San Marcos last weekend.

The future looks bright...

Today, we were lucky to get a glimpse of what the next three years will look like as we were introduced to some of the dancers in the new group of danzantes de pluma in Teotitlan del Valle.  Here are the next Malinche and Doña Marina, already poised and confident....with el Maestro Javier Gutierrez.

And they can dance! 

They looked great. 

July will bring their formal introduction.

Procesion de Silencio

The Procesion de Silencio is always such a beautiful visual experience, but there is much more to this annual Good Friday celebration.  It is that rare somber event that is quite thought provoking and moving as hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators share a long moment of silence.

Led by the lone sound of a drum, slowly beating once every ten seconds, the procession lasts over thirty minutes to pass any one point ans the whole route is several kms long.

Many more women carrying the statues, often in bare feet.

Imagine the feelings while carrying this cross

And many do it, such commitment.... the sound of the dragging crosses is ethereal.

More examples of penitence, of carrying that weight.

Silencio...

The procession begins...

Procesion de Silencio..... more to come.

This Mexican Life....

A part of Mexico's history, organ grinders are still a fairly common sight here in Oaxaca.  A European import, they go back to the 1800's and always wear the same uniform, tan with a black kepi....  but hers is white!  This woman, and her beautiful instrument, had a partner who was passing the hat on the northern side of El Fortin, at a very busy intersection.

Carry that Weight - El Burro

Palm Sunday in San Antonino Castillo Velasco is always so special for numerous reasons. First, the people and the welcoming ambiance they create.  Then there is the commitment of the the entire village to celebrate this holy day. 

People cover the statue of Christ on his burro with the most amazing fruits, vegetables and breads... and I mean cover.  Look at all that stuff and they were nowhere near done. Blogger buddy Shannon at Casita Colibri, also has a couple of posts covering the event.

Here is the burro partly covered and yes, he has legs.  The quality of the produce is remarkable.

Nearing completion.  Note the ring of bread on the arm.

Finally, long poles are inserted and the whole thing is lifted and carried by about thirty men for the one km trek to the church where hundreds are waiting.

It is a long hard haul.

It is a remarkable and inspirational commitment, carrying that weight...

Semana Santa continues....

Palm Sunday - Keeping the traditions alive

One of the many strengths evident in Oaxacan culture is how traditions are passed on to the young.  People worry that these things will disappear over time, but because they are such a vital part of the social fabric and children are involved at such an early age, those traditions remain alive and well. And so it was in San Antonino Castillo Velasco this past Palm Sunday.

The traditions look as if they are here to stay.  The classic and extremely popular embroidery of the village.

Fashionistas of the future.

Ready to carry on.... seriously

They give one hope for the future.  "Here's lookin' at you, kid."

Domingo de Ramos - Palm Sunday

More Art from the Road to Etla...

See-sawing against a big sky, while in the median of the Pan-American highway.

All pieces were made from recycled materials. Dodging traffic and a golden goddess of plastics.

This detail reveals some of the plastic items used in its creation.

Despedida (Farewell)

 A blue dog is made entirely from plastic bottles.

Such a fun shot with this street dog and its bones in front of Garfield the Cat's pizza joint and the NY Yankee fan showing his pride.

And yes, there's more....