Thursday, March 31, 2011

Es hora de decir adios

With a weather forecast of 8 to 15 inches of snow in Maine tomorrow, I am not relishing leaving this city of color and warmth. Nonetheless I am looking forward to seeing loved ones and being home, home, home.





Tuesday, March 29, 2011

¡ Vive Mexico!

We took a trip to a small town that is dominated by a monolith, Bernal, MX. Actually, though dominated by a monolith, it is really dominated by tourism. This little girl captured my attention because she was reading the newspaper being handed out to passersby. After I took her photo, I told her she was very beautiful, and then I got an even better photo because she burst into a huge smile and thanked me. My favorite photos in Mexico are of the children.

I loved these marimba players. Their music added to the ambiance of the day. They'd pick up this instrument and set up in locations all around town. I was happy to donate 20 pesos to them, and even happier when asked a second and third time, that I was able to say, " ¡ya hice!" Learning the preterite has been so helpful.

The sombrero that I got in Patzcuaro blows off my head when it is windy, so I brought it to my favorite cobbler and asked him to put in two grommeted holes and fit it with a long leather cord to tie under my chin. He was called at home and while I waited for him, I admired the many old tiles on his floor.

Woven plastic bags are owned by all the locals and used daily. They're remarkable in that they are durable, colorful, basic and ever so handy. These four are outfitted for the grandkids, ready to go back to the States, filled with Mexican tchochke.

Mexican Meter Man. At this moment he is writing out a ticket for one of these vehicles.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Primavera

Local kindergartners (jardin de niƱos) herald the spring season by parading through el jardin in costumes which celebrate nature and new beginnings (and quite a few princesses). The audience waits 30 to 40 minutes for the start of the procession. The paraders too, must endure hours of preparation and quite a long walk in costume. I'm impressed with their young patience.









Monday, March 14, 2011

Juxtapositions in Michoacan


What does this mean, to see a dollar bill in the hands of a Mexican priest figure in a nichos at a church?
These sisters delighted me with their beauty and charm. Ages about 6 and 4.
Note the life size Christ figure in a room all his own and the sale of cast iron sinks in the front yard.
What ritual do these chrysanthemums denote, along with purple ribbon decorating an entryway to a home?
Street art way out in the hinterlands, looking very modern to me.