It's carnaval time....

What are you waiting for?  It's that time of year!  Yesterday, in the 2nd  Muestra de Carnavales, the streets were full of delegations from lots of the villages, all strutting their stuff, ready to party.

These are pueblos from the Central Valleys that celebrate their own versions of carnaval and they are in the city to encourage people to visit them this coming Tuesday.  There looked to be eight to ten villages represented.

And there were some amazing looks.

They were dressed in all sorts of finery, showing their pride.

The man behind the mask.

They all assembled at the top of the Alcala and paraded to the zocalo through streets packed with spectators. 

Of course, the best part is before the whole things starts, as everyone is dancing... even the turkeys.

So many wonderful and different looks.

It's San Martin Tilcajete for me on Tuesday.  And you?

So what are you waiting for?

Is this who I think it is?

I was in the city today to get coffee to take north with me next week.  Why? 

Because it is the absolute best and once you have it.... Well, it's like many things Oaxacan, there ain't nuttin' like the real thing and there ain't no goin' back.  Anyway, they asked if I needed a bag and gave me this one.

She sure looks familiar, doesn't she?  What do you think?

Note, the bag is biodegradable.

Street Art - It spreads...

Many times, if one piece of street art appears in an area, others will follow, often by the same artist.  I see this pretty regularly.  The neighborhood I park in is covered with large colorful birds now.  You might recall this amazing piece from a few weeks ago.

Well, these two new pieces just appeared across the street and around the corner.

They are both just up T&P towards Sanchez Pasqua market and look to be by the same artist. 

The detail is quite something.  The imagery drawing from Oaxaca's rich history and culture.  I'm ready to commission something.

Get on the bus....

It is a relatively quiet time of the year, but the warm weather brings tourists from around the word. 

Actually, there are lots of tourists here and for them, one of the best way to see the sights is......

On a nice double-decker.  Although I've never taken the tour, I've heard them as they drive around and I'm pretty sure there are tours in Spanish and English.  Just look for the bus with the jaguar in a dress on the side.

It's an art

The thought, skill and artistry that went into making this amazing door in the courtyard of Carmen Alto is worthy of taking notice.  A nice spot for contemplation, meditation.  Just matching the wood grain must have been a challenge.  It makes me think of the trucks we see regularly laden with huge trees from the mountains.  With the surrounding colors, it is a perfect vision.  What a creation!  Another example of creativity is this glistening blue building. 

It looks like the entire structure was coated with cement, painted and then polished to a high shine.  There are ripples and bumps from the things covered by the coating. 

I wonder if they polished it with nopal leaves to get the brilliant shine.  What an interesting construction technique.  Works for me.

Tlamanalli - Thirty Years!

What a celebration!  What a family!  What a restaurant! What a meal!  And what an honor it was to be there for the 30th Anniversary of the opening of Restaurante Tlamanalli in Teotitlan del Valle.  I've known the incredibly talented Mendozas for many years and we felt very blessed to be seated with the family as we all enjoyed a simply wonderful day.  The sisters are world famous for preparing classic Zapotec dishes and they absolutely shone as they served almost 200 people a multi-course feast.  They were all running around so I could not get them all in one shot.

Most of the guests appeared to be from the gastronomic world as we spotted some famous chefs and cocineras.  As I said, we were with family and they are every bit as good cooks as anyone in the room but maybe I'm biased.

So what did we eat?

Appetizers

Tamales

Moles

Postres

All the food was absolutely delicious. Tlamanalli, the Zapotec god of food, was in the house and most content, as were we all.  Wishing all the Mendozas continued success for the next 30(0) years.

Also, the whole extended family helped with the event.  It was so nice to be served cervezas by Jacobo, one of the finest weavers anywhere, and Fidel and Maria Luisa (another sister)

From Casa Cruz, the masters of natural dyes.  Fidel was official dishwasher for some of the time.

Gracias and felicidades!

A Oaxacan Institution...

I head north in a couple of weeks and need to look somewhat normal. So that means the extreme pleasure of getting a haircut from this grand gentleman.  I just love him.  His peluquería, barber shop, on Constitución, just down from Santo Domingo, always transports me to a time many years ago.  There is always music playing, wonderful trios from the 40's and 50's. 

And the haircut always follows the same course, akin to a tea ceremony, scissors, clippers, razor, talcum powder, brushing, ending with him holding up a mirror to show the nape of the neck.  Sometime we talk, today, it was in almost total silence.... sublime.

I've got your back...

Feeling blue?  What a vision!  I love the color!  Not to worry.  What happens in Vegas....

And all I got was this jacket.

Words to live by...

Let's laugh and fight in case the world stops turning....... Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

Do you remember those radio ads?  Or is it just me?
Ain't nuttin like the real thing!

Luchadores!