A Horde of People

I walked down to centro today and when I turned the corner by the mercado, I was assailed with people, flowers, fresh fruit and pan de muertos. No, it wasn't for sale - it was in the arms and on the heads of people rushing hither and fro to build their ofrendas, either at home or in the jardine. They were ALL hurrying.........an unusual sight in San Miguel.

Then, as I turned the corner by the jardine there were tables being set up, papel picado being strung, teenagers EVERYWHERE working on altars and, truckloads, literally truckloads of flowers ready to use for the altars.

I don't think in eight years I've seen this much activity. Oh, I take that back, there's the day of the blessing of the taxis and oops, there's the whole month of September with Indians from everywhere. Yes, the jardine is THE center of it all.

And, in one corner, near the front by the Parroquia, a VERY meaningful altar is being assembled. It is to honor Sara, who operated a food cart on the jardine for more years then I can count and my dear friend Shanghai who was a fixture on the bench for as long as I can remember. This altar is being made by Sara's family and the elderly man who sells papers and food from his cart in front of the Parroquia. They are Mexicans honoring a Mexican woman and a "gringo" friend. How cool is that? I'll get photos tomorrow.

Sara's family inherited her cart and still supply food and drinks to people. Shanghai died about five years ago, just after he married his Mexican woman of 17 years! After I got to know Shanghai I found out he was from Houston originally and had been in the first graduating law class from the University of Houston. A man who became quite famous in the legal world named Race Horse Haynes was one of his best friends. They had lost touch with each other and it was my great joy to reunite the two of them since I knew Race Horse. Don't you just love the names Shanghai and Race Horse? That's what being from Texas can do for you...........I love characters like that.........

Day of the Dead - Patzcuaro, Tzurumutaro, Ihuatzio and Cucuchucho

To me, the "ultimate" Day of the Dead experience is going to Patzcuaro in the State of Michoacan. It is a moving and emotional experience for me. One should arrive at least four days before the actual day to experience the frenzy of activity leading up to the night of Dia de los Muertos.
The flower markets are abuzz with activity. Trucks arriving with loads of all the flowers to be used in the altars, ofrendas, graves and road decorations. The fragrance for blocks around the market, which is alongside the Basilica, assaults your senses. People carry off their flowers on their heads, in their arms and in baskets - whatever works for them. I have always wished that I was an artist and could capture the brilliance and colors of this market. But, ahh, one could not capture the fragrance.

There is an artisans' market set up in the Zocalo Grande and traffic becomes impassable. When last I attended, I met more Europeans then Americans. At midnight we headed OUT of Patzcauro to

Tzurumutaro with a zillion other people. Walking up to the cemetery in this village, I was first assailed with the fragrance of incense and then once in the cemetery the candles everywhere and flowers for as far as the eye could see. It was COLD, very cold and had been raining all day the last time I was there. Because the soil on the graves is turned prior to this night, it is muddy and slippery and it is necessary to walk very carefully, so one does not fall on the graves.

Families, made up of small children, teenagers, parents and grandparents and all other relatives sit quietly beside the grave in contemplation for hours and hours. No one was bothered by the crowds or activity. I wondered how many kids in America would sit quietly in the cold all night.

Mvoing on to the next village, Ihuatzio, we met my dear friend Arminda and her husband, Kevin. Earlier in the day we had created an ofrenda at her home and bed and breakfast, as she explained the symbolism with each step of the creation. Arminda is a Purepecha Indian and I have known her for almost 20 years. She is a delight and very knowledgeable woman.

Now in more then one car, we headed to Cucuchucho on a road with huge drums full of fire to lead out way. This village and cemetary was as if we had walked back 500 years in time. No gringos or gringas other then a few of us. It was a solemn place without the crowds. Very quietly we walked through, stopping to look at the graves, the families, the old lady in the rebozo and her husband finishing their placement of flowers and food that is placed on top of the grave.

I felt honored to have been able to have visited these sacred places in one of my favorite places on earth - the area of Patzcuaro. It has more of a sacred feeling then any other place that I have gone to experience Dia de los Muertos. If you haven't attended, I hope in your life, someday, you are blessed to have this experience.

Day of the Dead - Huaquechula, Puebla

To say it is "off the beaten track" to go to Huaquechula, would be an understatement. It was quite a drive from the City of Puebla. We stopped in many villages on our way there, so I can't tell you for sure how many hours we drove - a few. Once turning off the highway, we were driving through fields of amaranth and other crops that wjocj I couldn't identify. I had never seen amaranth growing before. It is an ancient crop that the Aztecs grew and it was very important to their culture. Prior to turning off the highway, we had driven by miles and miles of flowers growing that are cut and shipped all over Mexico and exported to the USA. It reminded me of the Netherlands. Upon arriving in Huaquechula, this was one of the first buildings I saw. I LOVE this photo and the many textures it relays to the observer. The town is very small and has a relatively small plaza. I first read about Huaquechula in the early 90's in the book, THE SKELETON AT THE FEAST published by The University of Texas Press. I had always wanted to travel there and was thrilled to be there that day.

The photo above was scanned out of the book, but it is exactly as the plaza was the day that I was there. Censers and candle holders were plentiful. They cost pennies. I bought many and gave them to friends upon my return to San Miguel. Their pottery is very primitive and is meant to be used for the feast and then disposed of, I presume.

There is NOTHING primitive about their white, satin altars. White denotes that the departed soul has died within the year. It can be for a child or for an adult. If you click on the photos you can see more in detail the items on the altars.

In the book I mentioned, there is a first person account by Froylan Martinez Cuenca, an altar builder. It is fascinating. In 1989 he had been building altars for 25 years and the average cost of a satin altar was between $2000 and $5000 US dollars. Factor in that the average daily wage then was $4.00US a day and you are boggled about the cost and the IMPORTANCE of these altars to the families. I have read and reread this account, always being overwhelmed by the history and importance of this day in Mexico to the Mexican people.

Notice in this photo the mirror placed on the first tier of the altar. It is so you can see the detail underneath and the pleating of the satin. Amazing isn't it?

To see these altars one goes to the homes of the people. You are welcomed in and offered refreshments - in most cases it was jamaica (a drink made from the flower of hibiscus) and cookies. In the humble houses I entered, there were usually ALL the family members and a few guests, I being one of them. Everyone was so gracious and was very pleased to have "guests".

I have several books on Dia de Muertos and they are the one I mentioned above plus Dia de Muertos by Artes de Mexico, Issue # 62 and Through the Eyes of the Soul, Day of the Dead in Mexico - Michoacan.

Can you possibly imagine experiencing anything like this in the USA, I can't.

Day of the Dead - An Urban Celebration

Each area you travel to in Mexico has similar, but distinct ways, of celebrating the return of the souls of the departed. The travel from rural to urban is somewhat disconcerting as the urban altars are, in many instances, "decorations" and not tied to any family or departed person, but more about a celebration of the day. With that said, I traveled to the mercado in Puebla to see if there were altars made by the people to honor certain persons. I was honored and rewarded to see this beautiful woman gathering flowers to either take home for her own family altar or possibly she was selling them. As I wandered through the mercado teeming with activity, altars were being made, people were buying flowers and I came upon this altar being completed by women and a young man. It is honoring the previous Pope who is much admired and revered in Mexico. Canonization is proceeding, at the urging of the Mexican people, to declare Pope John, a saint. With that in mind, I found this altar very poignant.

On my way into a restaurant for comida, this altar greeted our group and was beautifully executed as a celebratory altar.

And this last photo was taken at the municipal building across from the zocalo. To say it was grandiose would be an understatement. It filled the room. It had to be about twenty feet long!

Again, quite an altar, but somehow missing the point that the simple altars in the countryside communicate to the observer.

For photos of the simple altars in the Sierra Gorda, click on November 2007 and go to November 18, 2007. There you will see the simple altars using wild orchids from that region to cover the altars. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Lives of Quiet Desperation

I'm interrupting my series on Day of the Dead for this important message. I'm not sending the worst photos - those of bloated dead cows, goats, pets floating in the harbor. Or the photos of Bolivar with nothing but slabs for as far as the eye can see. I'm sending these photos so that you
DON'T forget the people of Galveston and the coastal towns who have lost EVERYTHING and are getting NO help. Truly, no help! AT least not from FEMA - read on. This first photo is of Evergreen Helicopters. I worked there in the late 70's when it was a beautiful brand new building. I was the Human Resource Director for everything east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a great company. But, it's gone - no helicopters which there were probably at least 20 of them - no pilots, no aviation mechanics, no office staff. NADA Which adds up to no jobs.

So, Evergreen is now one folding table in front of what's left of the offices of Scholes Field in Galveston. There are many helicopter bases on this field to shuttle people to the offshore rigs. I don't know the situation of the other bases, but I assume they are as bad off as Evergreen.

These photos were mailed to me by my friend Vandy, who I have written about many times. Vandy volunteers on this harbor boat a couple of times a week. The money made from this ride supports the Galveston Historical Foundation's maintenance of all the historical buildings and homes on the island. Although Vandy volunteers his time, the other people had jobs on this boat.

Now NADA, no jobs.

It is hard to tell from this photo the devastation of Sue and Vandy's house. Luckily they were here in San Miguel, so they do have some clothes and a car. But the house is "totalled". The water was at least five feet deep and the mold is crawling up the walls. Sue and Vandy are living in a motel room. They'll be there for quite a while.

All of this blog was written because I got so mad this morning when I read the following. A FEMA spokesman said last week, "Anyone living in a tent or a car is there by choice". REALLY.

Maybe they are living there because they have no place else to go since FEMA has only shipped in 200 trailers in 6 weeks - 200 trailers in 6 weeks! THEY promised 300 a week starting six weeks ago. Ike hit September 13th.

I KNOW people who have no home left - these are friends, a former NASA engineer who worked for 30 years at NASA; Sue and Vandy who have given more to the island then anyone I have ever met; a recently retired pilot from Evergreen; and the list goes on and on. These are not deadbeats; they are not people who have ever looked for a handout, ever. But they are people who need help now in a time of desperation.

YOU should be as mad as I am. It could be you! Can't our government do any better? It disgusts me. Oh, and don't EVEN get me started on the insurance companies............

Day of the Dead in Tlaxcala and Santa Maria Tonantzintla

Using the city of Puebla as a base, I traveled with the Los Amigos de Arte Popular group to villages around Puebla. I prefer the villages and smaller areas where there is such a strong connection instead of the grandiose altars of the big cities as you will see tomorrow on the post on Puebla. All are beautiful but, for me, some have more connection. Traveling into Santa Maria Tonantzintla, Puebla this gate caught my eye. It was covered in cempasuchitl flowers. These flowers are grown abundantly in this area.
They are similar to our marigolds but much, much larger. The word cempasuchitl in Nahua (the language of the Aztecs) means twenty flowers. The Aztecs believed that the sun god sent the flowers to adorn the graves of their loved ones.

And, I'm sure most of you know why towns have a Spanish name and an indigenous name. But, for those of you who don't - the Spanish added the "Christian" name in front of the indigenous name in an attempt to eliminate the culture of the peoples. In order to placate the Spaniards, it was left that way, but most indigenous refer to their villages only by the last name, their native name.

This church in Santa Maria Tonantzintla is, without a doubt, my favorite church in all of Mexico. It is exhuberant and vibrant and ALL hand carved by the indigenous. The story goes that the priest had to return to Spain and showed photos to the Indians of what he wanted carved and told them to finish the church. When he returned, this is what he found. There is hardly an inch of surface not covered by handcarved items. Hidden in these carvings are the "holy" things that the Indians considered sacred and part of what the Spanish considered a "heathen" religion. To me it says a lot about the Mexican people. They will appear to acquiesce, but in the end, they will have the last word! I find that enchanting.

In traveling to Tlaxcala, which is a small state and a town about an hour from Puebla, one is enchanted with the cleanliness, quaintness and beauty of this area. The zocalo in Tlacala had altars set up on the perimeter and most of the altars were honoring people who had died trying to cross the border into the USA. My heart was wrenched to know that over 400 people - sons, daughters, mothers and fathers had died trying to go to make money for their families. Notice the cross made of salt, one of the important "ingredients" of the altars.

Day of the Dead - San Miguel de Allende

Since I have traveled to so many places in Mexico for Dia de Muertos, I decided I'm going to start a series for all of you to enjoy. In the coming days I'll have photos from Tlaxcala, Puebla, Huaquechula in the State of Puebla, Jalapa in the Sierra Gorda and of course the lake villages of Michoacan. It is a magical journey for me to remember these travels with the photos I took with my "old" camera!

San Miguel, like every large and small town in Mexico celebrates this season in many ways. One of the most interesting to me is the mandelas on the streets around the jardine that are meticulously made with colored sawdust. The sawdust is saved by all the carpenters in and around town for the year. Who colors it, I have no idea. I love the cut paper, papel picados. They remind me of the prayer flags seen all over Nepal, Tibet, etc. Could it be there is a connection?

I saw a short documentary on Japan recently and they have a day very, very similar to the Day of the Dead with incense, candles, flowers and prayer flags. I was astonished. Has anyone in this reading audience ever attended that event in Japan? I would love to know more about it.

I don't go to the big cemetary (panteon) here for "the" day, because it is so crowded with tourists, but rather enjoy the serenity of the small and oldest cemetary where, often, I have been one of only a few people. The cemetaries here are somewhat different as I have never seen families sitting by the gravesides as I have in other areas of Mexico, which, to me, is part of the imagery. BUT, it is interesting to see all the work and artistic ability of the people.

Four years ago, five months after my daughter died, I made this altar in memory of her and invited all my friends to come and share it with me. Many friends came and added flowers or candles or sugar skulls. It was VERY cathartic. While making the altar I was so emotional I wasn't sure I could complete it. It was up for about a week. I did a lot of research about what was to be there - a blanket to keep the spirit warm, water to quench their thirst from their journey, favorite foods and mementoes, candles for the light and flowers for the scent to show the way. The many photographs were there for me to have as rememberances.

Several things happened during the time this altar was here - for one, Flash, my dog of 16 years slept every night by the altar. Heretofore Flash ALWAYS slept on my bed, at the corner, with me! And during the day, there she was on the corner of the quilt.........I was astonished. Little did I know, when I took this photo and had this experience, that three weeks later Flash would be killed here in San Miguel by a bus.

During this time I found it very calming to walk by and look at the things that I had placed on the altar for Jennifer. I found myself sitting and reminscing of good times. I also found it comforting that her spirit would come to be here, although I know her spirit is here more often than that.

My observation is that Dia de Muertos is several things in Mexico. It IS as important as Independence Day and Semana Santa (Easter) and Christmas. I would say it is the Mexican Thanksgiving for the souls and the families. I LOVE to experience it - it is solemn, yes, but is is also joyful! This year my altar will include those people who have left that I loved, oh, and of course, Flash who was such a dear companion for all those years.

UN World Peace Day

The FIRST sign that "something" was going on as I walked down the hill today was traffic backed up for about 3 blocks! Ut oh, I said to myself -- now what. I finished my shopping - just HAD to have mango chutney -- stopped in the Blue Door Bakery for my one cinnamon roll which I "allow" myself on Saturday mornings with my coffee -- and headed for the jardine.

Pandemonium reigned. Little munchkins dresssed like every country, and then some, were running all over the jardine. The parades always end at the jardine and I had missed the whole parade. BUT I didn't miss watching the children and taking photos. The little girl in the red, white and green is chasing bubbles. I so hoped that photo would have shown more bubbles, but hey, I did my best!

AND, on the church steps was this adorable little girl dressed as none other then, Mz. Carmen Miranda! I have no idea what country she represented but she laughed when I asked if I could borrow her costume, por favor. I love the "attitude" of the hands on her hips!
Too cute...........

In comparison to Mz Miranda, Mz Espana was shy and not so happy and wanting to get this allllllllll over with.........

Ok I admit, I now LOVE the digital camera. I also admit that now that I have figured out how to download, I'm happy. There are still other things I want to figure out, but for the time being - THIS is enough!
Happy UN World Peace Day from San Miguel de Allende.

Unplanned Days and Surprises

I love getting up with no plans and just waiting to see what is going to happen. Not much during the day - picked up the mail and with it photos of my friends, Vandy and Sue's disaster in Galveston.........disturbing. In addition, magazines - my eclectic taste covers Texas Monthly, Country Living, Fortune Small Business, Kovel's Antique Pricing Newsletter and the piece de resistance, Slotin Auction's catalog on Outsider Art auction in November. A myriad of possibilities of things that interest me. So, up on the roof, reading material in hand, warm sunshine and the next thing I knew, a siesta on the chaise on the roof with the breeze, birds and butterflies - perfection.

Then tonight a call from Anado Mc Lauchlin, the fabulous artist who I bought the wonderful assemblage from recently. He called to tell me about a fantastic article on his work, his and his partner Richard's home AND with a great slide show. All in the New York Times! The article was written by Joyce Wadler. The article is about "Color Chaos" an apt title. I found it not by trying to find it on the NY Times site, but by putting Joyce Wadler in Google's Search Engine where she came up as "Joyce Wadler New York Times" and then clicking on the article. If you're interested, go explore.

So, that's MY day in San Miguel where, oh by the way, the day started out at 38 degrees and ended up at 80 degrees! What was your day like?

Pure Happiness - Matilda Isabella

It appears to me the "Gypsy Kids" are settled in and darn happy in Ft. Collins, Colorado. These photos were generously shared with me by Lisa's mother who just returned from being with the kids. All is well on the "western front". The pure joy on John's face just says it all, doesn't it? And I just LOVE seeing Matilda's feet hanging out of the bottom of his jacket. It is all about the little things in life, isn't it? That's her Dad's walking stick that she is holding. He has trekked almost every continent with a walking stick but I think that this is the greatest journey of his life and I couldn't be happier for he and Lisa and Matilda.

Indulge Me

Better then the finest, fastest car or the biggest, brightest diamond or the sweetest, richest chocolate - photos of Matilda are the greatest indulgence for me these days. The look on her face in this photo seems to say "What the heck is going on?" And this one says, "Who cares, a nap is better". (She takes after her Grammy in the nap department.)

A six point landing

A six point landing is something you would never want to have happen if flying in an airplane. It is also something you wouldn't want to have happen when you are happily walking down the street in San Miguel on a beautiful sunny Monday morning. BUT it did.

I did a body slam so fast on Calle Correo yesterday that I was shocked when I was looking way too closely at the cobblestones about 6 inches from my nose. It happens all the time here because of the treacherous cobbled sidewalks and streets. It had not happened to me in a long time.

Usually I catch myself on my palms and knees but this time the other two points in this landing were farther up my body........and it hurt like hell.

A lovely young Mexican woman came rushing up to help me regain my footing and she kept saying "Cuidado, cuidado" Careful Careful.........well it was already over, but I intended to be MORE careful. I dusted myself off thanked her profusely.

I went on to my next appointment and then headed to the Coffee Clatch group. I related my "adventure" and they were amazed that I was unhurt and coherent. I was.........until I went to bed last night and my ribs hurt like hell. Could barely turn over, couldn't find a comfortable way to sleep........good grief, I think I either bruised my ribs or fractured one.

So, I'm home reading and taking it easy today and hoping Lourdes, the world's greatest massage therapist, can come this evening and work her magic.

A Delightful and Delicious Evening

Do you know when you meet someone new that they would hit it off with other friends? I did instantly when I met "Richland" of Gangs of San Miguel and his partner Chris. WHAT a great sense of humor both have - that dry wit that just knocks me over. They are a pair! Playing off each other in their humor and then Richard throws in a question that you're afraid to answer for fear the anwer will end up on the "Gang"...........just kidding. But, he does ask very thought provoking questions.

So, I got out the pots and pans and whipped up a hearty meal for them and my friends Ron and Fred last night. And, at the last moment the new tenant for the guest house arrived in town, so I added another chair and there were six of us.

What a fun evening. Repartee, lots of wine, good food and great conversation. Just as I suspected the two couples that I wanted to introduce hit it off. Kiddingly I said that now they can get together without me and they eluded to the fact that it was waaaaaaay too much fun to have me there to pick on! Geez with friends like that, who needs enemies? (I say that jokingly).

Smithsonian - October 2008

This month's issue has two very interesting articles that I thought I might mention just in case you might be interested in reading them.

The first is called "Inside Iran's Fury" which explains all the reasons why the country has such national pride and is so angry at the attempt of foreign domination or direction. It was an eye opening article for me to read. I confess ignorance about the country's history. I had a dear friend in Houston who, as she said is "Persian". She was one of the most tranquil, elegant and well read people I have ever met. She left with me such a positive image of her country that I have never understood all the "hate mongering" from the present administration.

The other article that was equally surprising was a POSITIVE article about Houston, Texas! It is written by a transplanted New Yorker and celebrated poet. Delightful read. It is entitled "Southern Comfort".

Smithsonian Magazine is one of my favorite publications. I ALWAYS learn something in their articles. It is one of the few publications that I read from cover to cover.

Enjoy!

Our Lady of the Iguanas

This photo has been scanned from Art and Antiques magazine. It is a photograph by Graciela Iturbide. It was taken in Juchitan, Mexico in 1979. She just won the Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography.

This photo is fabulous on so many levels. The first, for me anyway, is that this lady could stand still with these creatures all over her head. You KNOW how I feel about "creatures", even little ones like scorpions and crickets. If you offered me a million dollars, I couldn't do what this woman is doing.

On another level, I actually have seen a woman down near Barre de Potosi walking around like this - about six or seven years ago. It was an awe inspiring sight.

And the last level, how patient did the photographer have to be to get this shot? How many shots did she take to get it right? Good job.

I have the opportunity to go to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec near Hualtuco the end of January for some incredible festivals and ceremonies. Part of the trip would be learning to cook the indigenous food in that area, which could possibly be iguana. I haven't decided if I'm going on this "adventure" yet or not................

It's all about the Supreme Court!

Ok, I have wanted not to get into the political fray but last night's debate set my teeth on edge. During Gore's presidential bid, I had a button that said, "It's all about the Supreme Court" and it's more true today.

I worked forty years, suffered discrimination in pay and sexual discrimation when I worked for other people - several times over those years. I have quietly worked to make sure that my daughters and granddaughters NEVER experienced those things. As you know, if you read my blog, my family is the most important thing in my life.

I was blessed with this family. I never had to consider an abortion. I would hate to think that any of my family would ever have to consider that scenario. BUT, if that were to happen, I don't want anyone to have to go through what a friend of mine did, who did have to have an abortion before it was legal. It is a horrific story.

So, Roe vs Wade CANNOT be overturned. McCain is for overturning it and if elected he will probably have the opportunity to replace two Supreme Court Justices. PLEASE see that that doesn't happen! PLEASE!

Jiminy Cricket!

The question of the day is........how the heck can something as little as a cricket make so much noise? And, if one can make a LOT of noise, imagine two in my house last night! It was like a mariachi band of crickets for heaven's sake.

So, while others ponder earth shattering, world shattering questions, mine is simply, how long does a cricket live?

An addition to my collections

Here's the latest...... It's a fabulous assemblage by Anado McLauchin who has that wonderful quirky house covered in tiles that the tour group visited while in San Miguel. I have loved this piece for several years since I first saw it. It's one of those things that each time you stand and look at it you see different things.

There are old milagros, carnelian beads, a flying angel, all kinds of dolls and statues. The piece de resistance is the Venetian mask that is the centerpiece.

Of course when I put it in the house, it necessitated my moving all kinds of things around to make sure that this piece took center stage. It is surrounded by face jugs from the Carolinas and an old paper mache monkey that I have had for about 20 years.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Guinness, the Devil Dog

Here is the cute dog, Guinness, that was Velcro's nemesis for nine months. Unfortunately he has moved to Chicago with his Mom and Dad, Josh and Paige. This actually isn't a very cute photo of him, because you can't see the devilment in his eyes and his ears aren't standing up. They really did that when he was chasing Velcro. And Velcro LOVED it! She would look out the window and wait til she saw Guinness, saunter out toward him and the race ensued.

Velcro has been moping for a week and a half since they moved back to the USA. I too was sad to see all of them go. Greener pastures, more money. Too hard for this young couple to make a living in San Miguel.

So, there is a new person moving into the guest house. I haven't told Velcro yet, but there is another dog coming for her to aggravate.

Havin Fun!

Every specialty tour I bring to San Miguel I try to have a gift that will surprise and delight everyone! I think I succeeded with these custom made glasses made out of cornhusks by local artisans. Everyone had so darn much fun trying them on!

It seemed to bring lots of smiles and the "quirky side" out in each person. The couple who are photographed below traveled the farthest to be with us and traveled on with me to Las Pozas. They had a blast!

And, then, there is always the group with their drinks in their hands! This was at the opening night reception. The tent behind them was set up, in case of rain, and was filled with artisans selling unique custom items. As you can tell, a GOOD time was had by all!

Aren't the cornhusk glasses just priceless?

In a Hurry...

One day I was in the car going down Aparicio, in a hurry, and this was in front of me. This photo illustrates just how narrow our streets are. This is NOT a unique street, this is it! The "co pilot" has to get out and get in front of the beer truck to help him navigate down this street. He's in front of the truck. Then there's this guy walking behind this truck and I'm trying to use my "new" camera to take this photo while driving. We were a tiny parade..........

Things like this happen EVERY time I try to hurry somewhere. I've learned to just slow down and see the view! Just looking at this photo makes me chuckle.........

I have wanted to share this photo with you ever since I got the darn digital camera! I took over 200 photos, but this is one that I love because of the "light". It was taken of the waterfalls at Las Pozas which is in the State of San Luis Potosi.

Las Pozas is the jungle sculpture gardens of Edward James that I have been to multiple times. I've climbed and walked and marveled at the structures, but also at the natural beauty. This time I let everyone go on without me and I chose to go and sit by the falls and quietly watch and look at my surroundings. I stopped counting after I had counted over 30, yes 30 different kinds of butterflies! I watched birds and people and looked at all the giant bromeliads in the trees. It was an "eyeopening" experience not to be moving, but sitting and looking at each area. I TRIED to photograph a lavender butterfly that was see-through, but each time I would focus, it would land on a branch and flatten out. Nature photographers have to be the most patient people on earth. I gave up.
I sat and wondered why I had never totally stopped and just concentrated and enjoyed it all before. It was a very different experience.

I was so surprised to see the transformation of the waterfalls in this photo - all due to light. I certainly didn't know I was doing this - it was a fluke. Now I understand why so many of my photographer friends go out early in the morning and at dusk. It IS about the light..........

If you haven't been to the Sierra Gorda - which I wrote about last November - do try to get there someday. It is an incredible biosphere area; the place of the five Missions of Fr. Serra; and of course, Xilitla and Edward James Sculpture Gardens. A true Brit's folly!

An Unexpected Friendship - Part 2

I ABSOLUTELY love the innocence of this series of photos. I didn't see anyone noticing this total interaction and for me, it made my day!

This last photo says it all!!!!!!!

An Unexpected Friendship

I

I was at Atotonilco in July for a lecture on the newest UN World Heritage site. While waiting for the speaker, I noticed the elderly lady who is ALWAYS sitting in front of the church. She is so tiny - probably not 5 ft tall. I always try to talk with her - she is, in my opinion, beautiful.

After I finished talking to her, a friend of mine, Stephanie, her new baby and her little boy, Liam were there for the lecture also. This is what ensued. He IMMEDIATELY went to the old lady.

It is a precious dialog of photos - these ARE downloaded from Picasa and it is doing weird things. As I type this the photos are shifting - one went to the left and the others are going down the page. BUT I'm going to persevere and post this - so help me! It wouldn't let me downoad all of the photos so there will be a part 2 with the two remaining photos............

Stay tuned for the second part of these photos..............

The "latest" from the Gypsy Kids

I had to "threaten" with bodily harm the guy with the hat on if I didn't get some pictures of the newest addition to the family. He finally came through last night with these three photos. Can you believe she's grown this much since the last photos in August? I laughed and grinned at this photo cause this was her "dress up" outfit that she wore to go see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in Ft. Collins on her Mom and Dad's first wedding anniversary.
I laughed cause it reminds me of some of my New Orleans outfits at Mardi Gras - nuf said!

And then there is this precious one of Matilda and Mom that I have now enlarged, printed and added to the shelf of family photos. Adorable, don't you think?

What a happy baby - I can hardly wait to see her at Christmas and get down on the floor and play with her like I have the other five! The "gypsy kids" are permanently (for the moment) in Ft Collins, Colo. Life is good!

Tuesday Tianguis

When I first moved to San Miguel and someone took me to the Tuesday market, I didn't
"get it"! My friend went every week and had the wardrobe of a "diva". I couldn't imagine digging through piles of used, but clean clothing in order to find a bargain............

Well, times have changed! I'm in there digging through the piles now surrounded by Mexican women and teenagers. We converse and laugh and if someone finds something the other might like we pass it over. It's so much fun...........who knew?

I have my favorite tables. There are the 10 pesos tables, the 20 pesos tables and then the one booth that has the most magnificent clothes and it is all negotiable. I'm talking Albert Nipon, Ralph Lauren, Talbot, Liz Claiborne, Jones of New York. I'm a brand shopper. Can you imagine a beautiful silk blouse from Ann Taylor for 10 pesos? I find them.

So yesterday I went, since I'm going to Colorado for Christmas and I don't even own a jacket, hardly. So, I found a great black jean jacket (50 pesos), a darling coat that reaches just above the knee, black and beige (50 pesos), my favorite, an animal print cashmere sweater (80 pesos), a black wool long skirt, (20 pesos) and a Saks purse (20 pesos). I could hardly carry it all back to the car.

In addition, at the Tuesday market, they have all kinds of food stands, fresh fruits and veggies, live animals (birds, rabbits, turkeys etc) and every part you could ever need for an electrical appliance. It's a veritable feast for the eyes. Maybe next week I'll take photos.............now that I have figured out how to download the @#$#%& photos...........(more on that later)

Just one of the many "pleasures" of Mexico! I must admit I have an inner chuckle when someone compliments me on my "outfit" and I know it cost me 30 pesos...............