"Love that dirty water..."

"Yes, Boston you're my home"  Well, one of my homes... and the water is much cleaner these days.  So today,  a quick trip north and, oh my, the changes,  My sojourn into Chinatown found my normal stops all closed for "renovation." Ouch!

So with both my normal supermarket and dim sum place gone, I searched and found another large market where I could stock up on essentials.... "ain't nothin' like the real thing." 

As I walked down Boylston, I passed this building where I used to stop to shop, play and purchase music and pianos. 

I hope it finds a new life. It was always so filled with music.  There was a room filled with what seemed to be hundreds of pianos.... and some really great musicians.

Just a few buildings down, that new life was on display. 

Emerson College has bought and restored several huge buildings.

It's snowed two days ago.  Today it was in the 70's. "Ah, Boston, you're my home."

Sunday Delivery...

Some people get the Sunday paper delivered.  I get a different sort of delivery.  This is one of my neighbors, Doña Barbara, who brings these delicious chile rellenos to my door every week.  

These are filled with chicken, but today she also had beef. 

Maybe I'll try those next week, but for now...  It's time to eat!

The Bird is the Word...

I heard an unusual sound in the garden and rushed out to find the source.  It was this large bird and I was lucky to get this shot, but missed its bright yellow breast.  Anyone know what it is?  It had a rather raucous call.  Meanwhile, overhead...

Then it was off, riding the thermals.

Super Bowl Sunday Traffic....

This is one of the neighborhood fuel delivery services.  I had just watched them unload a large load of firewood or leñas for one of my neighbors.  These burros had been fully loaded with perfect pieces of wood, perfect for much of the cooking that I can smell on a daily basis.  "I love the smell of leñas in the morning... It smells like... breakfast." - was never said in "Apocalypse Now."  The scene immediately reminded me of a very different fuel delivery system, the fuel oil trucks, very pipa-like, that are ubiquitous in New England and are keeping my house up there safe and secure.  Luckily, I'm here, and instead of mountains of snow, I have these mountains.

Friday Market Shopping

After hearing how expensive things in El Norte are these days,  I though I'd share what $30 US buys at my local street market or tiangue.  I'll list them, fresh mango, two avocados, cooked pork for $3, green beans, three tomatoes, two jalapeño chiles, two kinds of bread/rolls, two tamales rajas, quesillo cheese. a piña tart, a chocolate nut muffin, a kilo of grapes, garlic, mushrooms, calabasitas (squash), bananas, three onions, broccoli and carrots.  That's a pretty normal week's worth of food, except for one of my neighbors who brings chile rellenos every Sunday.... uh, three delicious fat ones for  $50... those are pesos, so $2.50 US.  Do we love Oaxaca or what?

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.

Besos from the street...

Points if you know who this kisser is.  It is so good to be back and enjoying walking the streets and catching all the new urban art which is always so good and timely. 

The guelaguetza is more than just a dance festival.  At its core is the concept of shared wealth and work.  It's a way of life.  How I missed seeing the politics of the streets while I was away. It's good to be back.

And this wonderful jaguar on a small side street where I park when I'm in the city. 

This Virgin on Reforma has been there for years and is always freshly painted.

Sweet art, street art.  Sunny skies, perfect walking weather.  As I said, it's good to be back.

"We don't need no stinking masks...."

WTF Oaxaca?  Today was my first trip into the city since my return. I went in to pay bills, get a haircut and shoot a little pool.  I was stunned by the huge number of people walking around without masks. I saw hundreds without as I walked from near Llano park to south of the zocalo.  It was the subject of conversation at the pool hall.  "It is the extranjeros, the foreigners, the tourists."  Absolutely!  It's mind-blowing to see so many young visitors acting so irresponsibly and disrespectfully. But in truth, lots of oaxaqueños were following suit.  Did I miss something?  Is covid over?  Seems rather crazy to me.  OK, I stole this image, but I am too pissed to make one of my own.... but the sentiment?  Right On, MoFo's!

All my ducks in a row....

OK, so they're geese, but I'll take it as a sign that I'm ready to head back to Oaxaca.  It was very nice to be in my New England home.  I do love this place and it's easy to see why. 

Plenty of time to reflect on life with covid.  Reading the runes nature provides.

Just as in Oaxaca, it's a solitary existence. 

However, with my booster, my spirits are boosted, too and I'm ready to keep on keepin' on.  As one of my fav artists, Dua Lipa, says,

This is not a, this is not a
Swan, swan song
This is not a, this is not a
Swan, swan song
We just gotta, we just gotta hold on tonight
This is not a, this is not a
Swan song, swan song
Swan dive (Yeah)
It's a new life