Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Living "in the weather"

When I lived in Texas we always knew whether it was hot or cold or nice but we weren't influenced by it that much because we had central heat and/or air conditioning......Well here, we live with our windows and doors open and we do get the breeze, or the dust (now) or the cold and/or the hot because we don't have central heat or air conditioning.
It reminds me of when I was little in Louisiana and my Mom would cook our main meal early in the morning so we wouldn't "heat up the house" (pre air conditioning) and we would nap or read mid-afternoon in the summer cause it was so hot. Well, welcome to Mexico. I now find myself doing the same thing and after all here the hot is only for about a month to six weeks and not the 5 or 6 months that we had in Texas. So, all in all, no complaints!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Exporting from Mexico to the USA

For twenty years I exported furniture and accessories to the USA for restaurant and resort projects that my firm designed all over the USA. I designed and purchased the furniture from factories and bought many, many of the accessories directly from artisans who have now been identified as "Great Masters" of Mexican folkart (and they are). So, when I now take people to these same factories and they don't know any better then to think those furnishings are expensive, I am amazed. They have no idea the mark-up if they were to buy those things at a store in the USA or even in San Miguel. The typical markup is 10 times - yes, that's right, 10 times in the USA!
This was brought home to me today while surfing on the web when I came across the Neiman Marcus and Horchow catalog on-line. Neiman's is having a "sale" of home furnishings and the same green ceramic pineapples that I buy in the State of Michoacan for $50US are "on sale" at Neiman's for $543.00US, down from $775.00US. Yikes, aren't I lucky to be able to "go to the source"? You can go to www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/ if you're interested.
By the way, when I was exporting for my projects we only marked up 2 times to cover shipping and brokerage fees.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

The "Open Gate" Policy

The doorbell rang at 4:35AM Friday morning scaring the begeebers out of me. I wondered if I should go and see who it was and since it had never happened before in the six years that I have lived here I decided, "Yes". So I put on the old chenille robe, fuzzy slippers (this outfit is guaranteed to scare anyone away) and trotted up the stairs. As I unlocked my front door and looked to the gate at the street I noticed it was OPEN. Yikes I thought but still proceeded out asking who was there.
Well, much to my surprise, it was the San Miguel police who had noticed my gate open, rang the bell to see if I was all right, and said I should probably close the gate. I went back to bed, and of course could not go back to sleep lying there thinking about how nice it was to know (a) that they patrol, (b) that they noticed, and (c) that they courteously let me know!

Viva Mexico!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Driving in Mexico

I have no fear driving in Mexico. I've done it for so many years that I just get in the car and go. If I miss a turn I don't always wait for a retorno, I check out the ditch or curbs and make a u-turn (isn't that what all Texas women do?) I always check carefully that a federali is not around or another car that will think I'm crazy and I'm always safe and have never had any problems. In fact, I missed the turn into the US Customs lane last fall when driving to Texas and I saw them over there waiting for me at the border and so I looked out, noticed the esplanade and just drove over it. It's safer then backing down the road, I reasoned. The US Customs guys were laughing when I pulled in - a first in all the years I've crossed the border. One muttered and asked me if I had ever driven the Indy 500 and I grinned and said no. THEN when they wanted to check the back of the Pathfinder and I showed them that I had 30 stone angels in the back of the car, they just shook their heads and told me to go on. I was taking the angels to a woman in Houston. I love incongruous things like that that happen in my life. Actually I had a grin on my face for about 5 miles at the looks on the Customs guy's faces. I added a little humor to their boring day.

"Limpio mi manzanas"

I don't know if I can blame it on my parents, but I truly seldom sweat the small stuff - even before that became a favorite expression. Therefore, I realize my Spanish grammar is atrocious, but, I get by and yes, I realize it is alllll in the present tense BUT I have managed to get around Mexico for 34 years this way, so there.
But, I have brought tears to people's eyes with this TRUE story of when I first moved to San Miguel. I was at the Pemex station getting gas and it was the dusty time of the year here ( May) and so I needed my windows cleaned. I asked the "gas man" to "limpio mi manzanas" and I noticed he smiled and then to make matters worse I said front and back. He kindly did so (cleaned my windows) and as I drove off I looked in my rear vision mirror and he and his compadres had a big grin on their faces. Hmmm. I arrived at the friend's house that I was going to and immediately said to him, "the word for windows is ventanas isn't it?" and, when he answered in the affirmative, I related what I had just done. It has become a great story to tell...............You can bet I have never made that mistake again.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Atrip to Mineral de Pozos

Pozos is a semi-abandoned mining town about 45 minutes from San Miguel. The articles in the San Miguel newspaper tout it as "the next San Miguel", it probably has 1000 inhabitants or maybe a few more or less. In it's "heyday" it had over 70,000 occupants! The walls of many of the homes, mining offices and schools are still standing. It is quite interesting and amazing. Pozos is at 7800 ft. so it is always cooler then San Miguel which is at 6200 ft. elevation. It was a lovely day and we explored the little shops (3) that had geodes and minerals for sale as well as ancient musical instruments. Then we drove up into the mountains "exploring" and John got out of the car to photograph some century plants. Hence this photo. John is over 6 ft tall and I want you to notice the size of these century plants! They must be more then a century old for heaven's sake. A fun Sunday afternoon in the country!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Easter (Semana Santa) 2007


As usual, I swore that I wasn't going to take any pictures after the box full of shots I have from all the years past, but alas, what's one more roll..........so I did and I got some interesting shots of the procession but I LOVE this little boy - pure innocence! Don't you just love his feather wings?

Fading into Obscurity

Back in about 1999 I met a man who said to me "Oh I googled you and there were 57 articles about you!" Wow, was I amazed because I had never heard of being "googled". Now I see that it is considered a verb. So tonight while "googling" something else I decided to see if there were still any articles about my design firm from when that was my life. Yup, I'm fading into obscurity. Only about 15 or 16 are left. It won't be long and they'll say "Who?" That's ok, I remember when it was so important to keep those pr and marketing dollars going to keep the firm's name in the public eye because that was how you got the "big" jobs. I don't have to worry about that anymore...............aaah. And many many of those restaurants and hotels are still operating so I am leaving a legacy, sort of.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Uruapan and the Palm Sunday Market

The Market in Uruapan for Palm Sunday begins with a wonderful parade of all of the artisans who are selling at the market. These artisans are from throughout the State of Michoacan. The woman from Ocumicho make clay scenes in outrageous colors and humor. I've been collecting "Last Suppers" and many other things from this village for years because they always make me smile. Their clothing is as brilliant as their artwork.
This lady's name is Maria and I have talked with her year after year. She is so talented........and of course I can't leave her booth without buying something! She is also in the first picture walking with the group of women. Here she is just getting ready to SELL her treasures.

AND to continue the tradition among the generations, the ninos and ninas participate not only in the parade but are in the booths with their parents. Day care is not part of the culture. The children are with the parents often in their booths.....even here in San Miguel.


I loved this lady with her grandson! They were so proud when I wanted to take their picture. So the "abuelo and her nieto" stand proudly looking with love at each other. I love to take time to just be still and watch the people interact with each other. There is such an underlying respect and gentleness.




Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Reading Obits

I confess, I started reading obituaries right before my 50th birthday and read such interesting and funny things, that I've been hooked for 15 years! I don't do it as often as I did when I had newspapers readily available but I do from time to time.
Just a few days ago I read about a woman who persevered although she had contracted polio when she was about 18 and was confined to a wheel chair most of her life. Her life was amazing in her accomplishments and her travels. I loved this line, "she departed for yet another adventure".
Once I read one that made me laugh out loud. It said, "She had it all - great men, good booze, and lots of travel". Now THAT had to be a happy woman, ha.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Patzcauro Photos

At the Friday market the "chicken man" and his wife were on their way to sell their chickens. Note how tiny his wife is beside him.
The dance of the "old men" is in actuality, small children dressed to look like old men. The tradition is handed down generation to generation. I never go to Patzcauro that I don't wait to see this dance.

As we were coming out of our small hotel near the Basilica in Patzcauro this simple, quiet procession was heading to the church. No fanfare or trumpets, just the faithful carrying out their traditions.


This is the continuation of the procession extending toward the Basilica. I sincerely doubt that there was any town or village in Mexico that didn't have some kind of ceremony on this day and the coming week.



The past 11 days............

What a whirlwind it has been! A trip to Uruapan for the Palm Sunday Market while staying in lovely Patzcauro. It was so much fun, as always, strolling the streets of Patzcauro and traveling to Ihautzio, Tzinzunzhan, Santa Clara de Cobre and seeing old friends. One of the highlights for me always is the tiny Friday market in the small plaza in Patzcauro. (I MUST scan in my photos of this market and some of the other highlights) I so love this market because it is small and the women are cooking in big cauldrons and the old women who come in from the surrounding villages are visiting with each other and buying things they need. They all dress in their native dress and you can tell what village they are from by the color of their rebozo which they use as a shawl, a bolsa for their purchases and/or items they have to sell, or a head covering when it gets too warm.
The Palm Sunday Market in Uruapan is one of my favorite markets also, but it is HUGE and is many, many of the artisans from all over the state of Michoacan. It is so big that it can be overwhelming if you haven't been before. It rivals Chichicastenango in Guatemala.
So, that was four days of the 11 and then upon returning all the Easter week (Semana Santa) processions and fireworks and church openings were going on.............it was as beautiful as always but there were more tourists this year then ever. Mostly Mexicans (estimated 20,000) and American photographers seemed to be the mix. These events are very sacred to the people of San Miguel but didn't seem to be treated that way by some of the photographers. It was disturbing.
On Saturday, the BIG 65 came along. A day I had at first wanted to celebrate in grand style with a trip to Greece and then I changed and wanted a big party but as the time drew near, I just wanted a quiet day. My son John was here and woke me with coffee and the most beautiful silver necklace! What a surprise - I was speechless (which seldom happens). It turns out that this is a traditional necklace with silver fish, red beads and silver beads that I have loved for at least 15 years but never thought I would have one. The master who makes these is ancient and I always thought he would die before I could get one............I'm thrilled. It's exquisite. I have three books on the crafts of Mexico with pictures of this work and even the process for casting the silver fish. If the books are to be believed, they have made this necklace in various forms for over 500 years. (Needless to say, I wore it to lunch and to a party that night). The day continued to be great with a delicious lunch and cocktail party at a friend's home.
Easter Sunday again was delightful - friends for lunch. Good conversation, lots of laughter and tasty ribs cooked by John. Everyone brought a dish and it was the easiest lunch I have ever hosted.
So now the crowds are gone, the fireworks are over, the church bells are silent and we should have a couple of months of tranquility. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed all of the above but tranqulity and calm is good too. After all, I AM older now.

Monday, April 09, 2007

OK, OK, Here I am!

I got a call, long distance from the USA, tonight wanting to know if I'm all right. Yes, I said, why? I had no blog postings and they were concerned! Yikes, sorry folks, life has been hectic for at least 10 days with traveling to Patzcauro (will share photos manana), participating in Semana Santa processions ( will share photos manana) and then as if that isn't enough I had a birthday and Easter Dinner for 6. Oy vey, and I'm supposed to be retired!
It has been fun and I'll write more tomorrow and in the next few days. Actually I'm happy to know someone might notice if I disappeared from the scene..........