Feliz Navidad

 

Things are looking up....

Everyone has taken shots of this wonderful installation on the Alcala, but I haven't seen one like this although they are probably out there.  Here's one of the more popular perspectives. 

Simply gorgeous and an amazing creation, a real work of art. ¡Viva Oaxaca!

Tehuantepec Represente!

As I mentioned in the previous post, Oaxaca always has a varied and expansive public art scene.  Almost every neighborhood has its own versions and 'tis the season to let it all go.

This installation of figures in the style of the dancers from Tehuantepec is right across from the sandia pieces. 

It's a made to order photo spot with Santo Domingo in the back. 

Someone in the government/tourist/arts world sure knows what they are doing.  More mañana.

Sandía - Watermelon

One of the very best things about Oaxaca is the abundance of public art.  And these wonderful works by local artists are currently being displayed along Santo Domingo church and are well worth checking out. 

There are quite a few of them and each is beautifully painted on a sandía inspired shape.  A nice diverse representation of the contemporary art scene for which Oaxaca is so renown.

Really some beautiful pieces.

Very Oaxacan, reminiscent of some of the street art which also is everywhere.

And really that's just the beginning.  There are wonderful installations right across the street... but that's for tomorrow.  OMG! Two days in a row?  It could happen, but you know...

Ain't nothin' like the real thing.....

I'm talking about chicharron, fried pork belly or, as it's known in many other places, cracklin'.  It is a very common snack here, cantina food.  Like anything, it can be really good or really bad.  In this case, the picture tells the story.   Just about perfect. 

Time for a beer or mezcal.

Side street bounty....

Every Friday, on a side street just down the road, a tianguis, street market gets setup and I can find everything I need for the coming week. It makes life so much easier to be able to shop so nearby in these crazy times.  And look how good everything looks.

It's always a pleasant outing as I see these vendors every week and they all know me.  It's funny, but as I walk in and down towards the produce stands, my tamale people hold up two fingers and I know they will have rajas for me on the way out.  And then there is this amiga,

Who always fills a container I bring with all sorts of fresh baked goodies.  And the quality of everything is always just so good. 

Perfect breads, rolls and conchas to start the day.

I really am spoiled.  And really, you can get pretty much anything there,

From furniture to flowers.

Just a slice of daily life...

It's like new....

My 2004 VW Jetta has a brand new look...inside and out!  No longer does it have a sun bleached roof.  All the little scrapes and dings and one good size hole are gone.  It's got sparkles.  And this is the maestro who did the work. 

His name is Arturo and he really worked miracles on this car.  I'm almost afraid to drive it now 'cause you know what always happens.  Speaking of which... Did you know that to reprogram your key fob after changing the battery, you have to insert the key in the door, turn the key towards unlock for .5 seconds (three times in less than 5 sec.) and it resets.  I did not know that... the internet saves the day again.