Elegant deterrence...

Some of the architectural details in the city are so distinctive and inventive.  Obviously, this design will keep the pigeons... and everything else from alighting.  A rather elegant way of saying "Keep out or suffer the consequences."  The spiked arc at the front is particularly striking.

Far more attractive than the standard broken bottle and glass shards that are very common.

Oye! Ollas!

I have been binge watching the BBC's Great Pottery Showdown, which I highly recommend (along with the Great British Sewing Bee.)  All of which, not only has inspired me, but made me think about all the amazing ceramic work here in Oaxaca.  And it made me recall this video I shot in the zocalo in 2008.  This master potter from San Bartolo Coyotepec turned out these ollas so easily and naturally, all the while carrying on conversations with onlookers.  Anyone recognize him?

The feast continues - more street art

The streets truly are a feast for the eyes.  Like the wonderful afro on this guy on a little side alley.   And with eyes wide open, once you start looking, it really is everywhere.  Things that make you go hmmmm...

And it comes in so many forms.

Soon everything looks like art...

Life imitating art or vice versa.

A feast for the eyes, n'est pas?

A bit more of that feast...

I wanted to go back and see the finished piece of street art I saw being created last week.  It was done and amazing. 

The detail work, exceptional.

The door was a jar, so I stuck my head in.  There was someone there.  "Are you the artist?"  "No."  I think maybe he was a cook or a waiter.  I'm not sure, but I think the place is a new restaurant although I only saw a couple of tables and the room is small, but there is some serious art going on.

What incredible work!

The place is on T & P just down from Sanchez Pasqua market.  Now I have to go back to get the name of the place and see if it's a new restaurant.

A feast for the eyes... street art

How nice it is to be inspired just by walking down the street.  The ever-changing street art scene is just that... ever-changing and ever-inspiring.  People are so skilled, brave and committed, that they take to the streets and create works of art for all to see. 

I spoke to this young man and he was so open and happy, it was contagious.  I'll check back to see the finished work next week.  And just a few steps down the street.

All of these were within one block! 

Simply put, the Arts, in its many forms, are an integral part of the social fabric, of life here in Oaxaca.
And the graphics can be graphic.

And two blocks further down, this new work...

Ever-changing and ever inspirational.

Every little bit helps...

There are lots of ways and opportunities to recycle cans and bottles.  And there is art and creativity in designing containers. This heart greets visitors at the entrance to the zocalo.  My favorite recycling container is this huge dog, a perro grande,  right next to the market in Etla.

Every little bit helps...

Home away from home... trouble

Liverpool, the city's best pool hall.  I spend much time there, continuing an ill-spent youth, hanging out in pool halls.  The place offers such a wonderful slice of Mexican life.  Lots of young people, along with the prerequisite sharks.   There are old (and young) guys playing dominos in the front.  They play aggressively, slamming their pieces down.  And the pool is always competitive.  Some of these guys can really shoot.  Lots of pool tables on the second floor and billiard tables on the third floor.  What a place!

I had the best time watching these dons playing 3-cushion billiards upstairs.  What a life... and of course, you are aware....

It figures..... time passes

OK, it may be a little strange, but I've saved all my little figuras from my Tres Reyes roscas (cakes) over the years.  So it's like a little timeline of my time here in Oaxaca, twelve years.  And if you get it, you are supposed to supply tamales for everyone on Candelaria.  

Tres Reyes! - For Real!

No better place to be on El Dia de los Tres Reyes, Three Kings Day, than in nearby Tres Reyes Etla, where they always do it right. 

And there they were, live and in person, los Tres Reyes.

It is a small village, but there were lots of people. who looked to be all locals.  And lots of music, food, fireworks and confetti.  I guess I could have gotten a photo on one of the horses with the kings, but this little guy made me rethink it.

The church was beautifully decorated with the village's namesakes prominently displayed.

No place I rather be...

Did you get yours?

It's the day before Tres Reyes and the best day to get roscas.  They are all so nice and fresh.  I tried to get mine in Tres Reyes Etla, but had to settle for the nearby Sunday market in Etla.

 I had a choice of twenty different vendors.  Will I get the little figure again this year?

Changing of the guard...

New year, new agave in front of Santo Domingo, like this beautiful tobala... and they do make good guard plants.

I stopped, watched and talked to these workers as they wrestled the plants in, tough work. 

I said I'd lost most of my agaves to el toro, the agave beetle, so I always ask about solutions.  Sadly, they said that there was a chemical, which I knew about, but I can't use it in the garden.

Uh, and note that this guy isn't wearing gloves.  I said I always bled when I work with agave and we laughed saying, "No blood! Maybe he wasn't really working."  But really, these guys were doing great work.  And we shared a love for the plants.