Just in case you need one....

A handy portal to another dimension.  Use in case of emergencies... or just for fun....

Cooks, Glorious, Cooks!

They start them young here....

It's all still mouth-watering, looking back on shots from the weekend's food extravaganza, the Third Encuentro de Cocineras Tradicionales de Oaxaca (Traditional Oaxacan Cooks) at the Convention Center.

Not only was the food wonderful.....

But engaging with all the cocineras was equally filling and satisfying. 

The layout made talking to everyone about their offerings very easy and natural.

And all the different trajes, traditional clothing, from all over the state.

A fashion show along with great food.

And smiles all around...

People have various opinions about holding this event at the Convention Center, which is a bit out of the way.  First, the location worked very well, with plenty of room, great light and sound, and lots of additional exhibits to see.  And the park, Canteras, an old quarry, is spectacular.  Some liked the idea of moving things out of el Centro which is often really congested, but within walking distance at the Plaza de la Danza.  I suppose it all depends on the numbers, but I'd sure do it again... tomorrow... and the next day, etc...  After all, it was all about the food, glorious, food.

Higaditos!!! Now, I'm hungry... again.

Food, Glorious, Food!

Is "foodgasm" a word?  Well, it should be, because the Third Encuentro de Cocineras Tradicionales de Oaxaca (Traditional Oaxacan Cooks) and all their delicious offerings at the new convention center was, and still is, a taste treat overload. 

Everywhere one looked.... temptation.

Hungry yet?

There were over sixty booths, each one offering mouth watering dishes.

And of course, one's eyes are larger than one's stomach. 

I just looked for the most part, but succumbed to this super dish from Tehuantepec, of pork, an incredible potato/egg dish served with a perfect salsa.

And so good to see the Mendoza sisters from Teotitlan del Valle, some of the best Oaxacan cooks and quite renown. 

And such nice and good friends.  They gave me a freebie of their fabulous mole negro.

Then, I was happily full and just wandered around the huge space and drank in  and ate up the good vibes... and took more pictures of the food and the amazing concineras, but you're hungry now, so go eat.  I'll post more mañana.

Yay! Palindrome Days!

9/10/19, 9/11/19, 9/12/19, 9/13/19, 9/14/19, 9/15/19, 9/16/19, 9/17/19, 9/18/19, 9/19/19.

Boy Genius

They're out there!  All over the world!  Just like this youngster from Teotitlan del Valle who was watching the convite yesterday.  This morning, the space bar on my keyboard starting clicking.  So I immediately went online for a fix and found a two minute video by a young boy in India who showed me how.  Worked like a charm.   Yay!  And it's not only the boys, girl geniuses abound, too.....

Kids today.....

Look through any window...

Colors and textures....

Depends on perspective...

Street scenes...

I've always been fascinated by the mannequins in Oaxaca, mainly because they are so not Oaxacan.
I do not notice too many folks that look like them as I walk the streets.

And imagine my reaction as this truck went by.

"Help us!.  They fattened us up by stuffing us with sweets.  Rumor has it that they are going to beat it out of us just for existing.  Ayúdanos! Helpppppp!"

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..