You want colors?

The colors of the buildings I walk by everyday continue to capture me.  And just to the left, this window's companion door.  I'm not sure of the architectural style, but is has kinda a deco vibe....

And the colors continue throughout the city.  Love the green detail just above the window.

No doubt seeing red in his dreams at night.....

Hotel Verde?

Orange you impressed?

And a final update on the building from last week. Too tame for me.

I woulda gone with the turquoise.

You lookin' at me?

Color schemes.... and an update.

That last post has made me more aware of the colors that surround me, so I made note of the places I walk by all the time.

Colors!  They are all around, almost so much that you miss them.

These were all in just a couple blocks and by no means, as dynamic as other color combos.  In fact, they're down right conservative.

And the work continues on the building from the previous post.

I sure hope the window trim is just getting a primer and that's not the final color.  Way to conservative, doncha think?

Color scheme?

Unlike places like New England where all the houses are gray, white or brown, the color palette here in Oaxaca is pretty much anything goes.  So when I saw this on the Alcala, I wondered if it was some new artistic treatment, because it looked kinda cool.

Well, it all became clearer today

I wonder if the turquoise will stay.  It goes with the pink doncha think?

Stay tuned...

The Infantiles Rule!

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the village's Cultural Center's opening in Teotitlan del Valle and wow, what a party, such a great time.  Hundreds showed up to celebrate and we were all feted with music, dance, food and all the pride and exuberance of this famous Zapotec village.  It is famous for many things, like its weaving, traditions and food, all of which were on full display.  It will take a couple of posts to cover it, but no better place to start then with the Infantiles, the  kids dancing the Danza de la Pluma. 

They are all about six or seven years old and practice in their school and all the practice showed. 

They were very good, a tight ensemble....

And so much fun to be with.

And to watch the dancer dads. 

That's the dance master on the left.  He was one of the danzantes in the 2009-2012 promesa.
It turned out that La Malinche is the daughter of one of my oldest friends, Juan Ruiz Bautista, the brother of Mario, the village photographer.

Of course, they were watched by guys at the opposite end of the age spectrum, the viejitos, old men, who also have their own dance....

But as W.C. Fields said, "Never share the stage with a kid or a dog."

Hard to argue with that, wouldn't you say?...

Well,  he probably could...

More later..

How cool is this? - Band uniforms

How's that for band logo?  I'm sure it not only looks cool, but also has a much deeper meaning.  Mixe Sun god?  Anyway, as a musician and former music teacher/conductor, I am always blown away by the young musicians from the Mixe village of Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec, where almost everyone plays a musical instrument.

I love this shot because it takes me back, remembering kids just before performing.  Every face adds to the story.  And yes, they can play with the best of them, but the also do it with the utmost style.

The village is famous for its amazing trajes, always color coordinated with that remarkable machined embroidery.  They also look to have very nice instruments.

What a village - ¡Viva Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec!

Keep on truckin'...

I'm often in traffic, surrounded by trucks.  So I'm drawn to their signage, a language all its own.  What does it all mean?  Like this one. 

I believe that "mota" is the local term for pot, so I did a double take when I saw this right outside my window.  Judging from the straw and stuff coming out the base of the doors, I figured it must be BS.  And somehow, I don't think you will see many of these in your city....

But maybe, if you're lucky.

This is so Oaxaca - El Dia del Taxista

As I drove into the city this morning I noticed lots of large decorated bows along the side of the road, obviously blown off of cars... Ah, yes, indeed, of course, it's El Dia del Taxista and it is always fun. 

There was a huge parade of the highly decorated taxis down Independencia so of course, traffic was a mess, but that too, is very Oaxacan.

There were celebrations in all the villages with different colored cabs, but this one was strictly city and all yellow..

After they process, the taxistas party mighty hearty and soon it's the Day with no Taxistas.

Party on, Garth.... Be there or be square.

Work in progress... and Done!

This new piece of street art is on a little side walkway that I pass regularly.  I spoke with the artist, Adan Bustillos, as he was working on it and forgot to take his picture.  And then.... it was finished!

¡Viva Oaxaca and all its many artists!  Art appears in endless forms here and all of them feed the soul and inspire.

¿Tiene hambre? - Hungry?

Ah, yes.... a tostada with tasajo at the Comedor Colon in Etla, which happens to be one of the best places to eat on this side of the city... or anywhere.  Here's how to get there...

Life in the country...

Y'all come back soon!

Wonderful rain all day today, a real rarity.  The countryside is lovin' it.

Of bees and butterflies...

It's always important to plant things that attract bees, birds and butterflies. This side of the city, to the north, has had a decent rainy season thus far and the garden is filled with flowers and lush greenery.
The sunflowers reached three meters.

The tithonia, Mexican sunflower, at two meters tall, is a butterfly magnet.

Plenty of seeds for the birds.

 

Here comes the sun...