The Quiet of Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca: Beauty in the Ordinary
Yesterday was the first in three days that I got beyond the courtyard of my host family to walk around the village. It was a perfect day. The sky was, as we say in North Carolina, Carolina Blue. At every turn, there were proud Mexican flags on rooftops catching the breeze. This was a simple, […]
Guelaguetza Photography Workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico
7 nights, 8 days, July 26-August 2, 2013. Our Guelaguetza Photography Workshop gives you an opportunity to capture indigenous folkloric traditions and build upon your photography skills. Guelaguetza is a magical time in Oaxaca when indigenous people come to the city from throughout the rural areas of the state adorned in their finest handmade traje (indigenous dress). On […]
Oaxaca Healthcare: Free for the People
From personal experience I can tell you that tapping into the public health care system is low cost and easy if you are living or visiting in Oaxaca. This morning I presented myself at the Centro de Salud in Teotitlan del Valle with symptoms that I had pretty much determined via internet research were the […]
Oaxaca Meanderings: The Mundane and the Beautiful
From Mexico City it’s a six-hour ADO bus ride (and four movies) to Oaxaca. The contrast between the two cities, one a megalopolis, the other a calmer haven of color and clear skies, is dramatic. My favorite Oaxaca touchstone is the “behind the scenes” view of Santo Domingo Church from the corner of Av. 5 […]
Climbing Teotihuacan: Mesoamerica’s Largest City
Teotihuacan, the city where people come from the Gods, was named by the Aztecs during their search for the sacred place where they would spot an eagle holding a snake in its beak. It was here they found it. The Aztecs discovered a perfect abandoned site. The earlier builders of the pyramids created the volume, […]
The Virgin of Guadalupe: Goddess of the People
The Virgin of Guadalupe, the embodiment of the Virgin Mary, appeared to an indigenous Mexican ten years after the conquest in 1531. Juan Diego, his baptized name, told the bishop that the Virgin asked that a temple be built in her honor. The bishop asked for a sign of proof and Juan Diego returned with […]
Last Battle of the Aztecs and Homage to the Martyrs: Tlatelolco, Mexico City
Tlatelolco is about ten minutes from the historic center of Mexico City and centuries apart. Discovered in 1948, it is the largest archeological site within Mexico City and a must stop if you want to know more about the birth of Mexico, her history and traditions. It was our first stop on an all-day small […]
Street View: Mexico City
After I arrived in Mexico City on Thursday and checked in to Chill Out Flat in the historic center just four blocks from the Zocalo, I hit the streets. (Reminder: I’m traveling alone and feel completely safe here.) Carlos Slim, the wealthiest man in the world and owner of Telmex, has invested heavily in […]
Day of the Dead: Honoring Loved Ones at Grave Sites
The photography exhibit that continues through November 6, 2012 at Duke University includes text panels that describe what happens during Day of the Dead. The explanation below is written by Jenny Snead Williams, executive director of Duke’s Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South. Cleaning and decorating the grave sites takes place over several days, with fresh […]
Oaxaca Day of the Dead: Skulls, Flowers and Sand
The photography exhibit that continues through November 6, 2012 at Duke University includes text panels that describe what happens during Day of the Dead. The explanations below are written by Jenny Snead Williams, executive director of Duke’s Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South. Days of the Dead celebrations take place [in Oaxaca] over […]
Shop Mexico–The Artisan Sisters Week 14: Tequila or Mezcal Shot Glasses
Well, these are not really “shot glasses” but beautifully hand-formed and painted, one of a kind majolica pottery cups from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. They are just perfect for sipping tequila or mezcal. The patterns are complementary and because they are hand-painted, their loveliness is in their uniqueness — they are not exactly alike! They measure […]
Making a Oaxaca Day of the Dead Altar: What You Need
Day of the Dead altars vary in size, location (private vs. public), and incorporated elements. Our [Duke University] altar is created in the traditional Oaxacan family home style, led by our invited guests Eric Chavez Santiago and Janet Chavez Santiago from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico who dedicate their work to their deceased grandfather (main […]
Day of the Dead Holiday Celebrations: Mexico’s Culture and History
Next week, I’ll be traveling to Mexico to hold our annual Day of the Dead Photography Expedition in Oaxaca (we are filled this year and taking a wait list for next year). The photography exhibition that opened at Duke University last week reminded me about why I love this time of year in Oaxaca. Jenny […]
Shop Mexico–The Artisan Sisters Week 13: La Catrina Day of the Dead Figure by Bertha Cruz
The calavera (skeleton) of La Catrina is the symbol of Day of the Dead in Mexico. The original etching was made by Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1913. The image has been adapted to fit many other art forms: clay figures and carved copal wood painted in bright colors by famed Oaxaca folk artists. Just in time for Day […]
Day of the Dead Altar by Duke University Latino/a Studies Students
About 40 students gathered at Duke University last night to build a traditional Oaxaca Day of the Dead altar with Eric Chavez Santiago and his sister Janet, visitors from Oaxaca, Mexico. The students are members of Mi Gente, a group that is sponsored by the Program in Latino/a Studies in the Global South at Duke. […]
Visiting with the Deceased: Customs Across Cultures
Modern Mexican celebrations of Day of the Dead are embedded in indigenous rituals dating as far back as 3,000 years ago. Today we find U.S. versions of Mexico’s celebration co-mingling with Halloween symbols on both sides of the border. Yes, we see orange pumpkins, pointy hats and candy corn in Oaxaca, too. Proof that migration […]
Oaxaca’s Remigio Mestas Revilla: Textiles That Feed the Spirit
Remigio Mestas Revilla is a hero to many of us in Oaxaca, Mexico, who love indigenous textiles. For 33 years, he has worked with weavers in remote villages to revive lost traditions and preserve those that are at risk of becoming a lost art. His collection can be seen at a new gallery he operates […]
New Book of Poetry Crafted During Oaxaca Women’s Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat
Poet Katie Kingston has news! Lost Horse Press has just published her new book of poems, Shaking the Kaleidoscope. It is her first complete book! Katie wrote this morning to tell me, “Two poems from the Oaxaca conference are in the book, so I was pleased to acknowledge the Oaxaca Women’s [Creative] Writing Retreat. The chapbook [instructor] […]
Oaxaca Textiles, Rug Sale and Cultural Talk in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA friends of Oaxaca will host Eric Chavez Santiago and his sister Janet Chavez Santiago on October 3 and 4. They will present rugs (tapetes) hand-woven by their family on tapestry looms, and talk about the weaving, natural dyeing and textile traditions of Oaxaca. If you live anywhere nearby, please make your reservation to […]
Day of the Dead Exhibit at Duke University with Photos, Chavez Santiago Talk + Rug Sale
Map to Friedl Bldg/Duke University http://maps-test.oit.duke.edu/building/138 October 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Duke University is the ONLY North Carolina presentation/sale of Chavez Santiago family rugs. Eric Chavez Santiago is director of education at the Museo Textil de Oaxaca, a weaver and expert in developing and using natural dyes. Janet Chavez Santiago is a linguist and education […]
Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters Week 12 — In Honor of El Grito de Dolores, Two Majolica Plates
First, a beautiful, hand-painted and lead-free plate from the village of Dolores in the State of Guanajuato. Home of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the Roman Catholic priest who first cried the El Grito de Dolores, the town is now famous for its brightly colored, hand-painted ceramics. Hidalgo’s famous cry for Mexican independence from Spain is […]
Easter in Oaxaca, Mexico: Semana Santa Photography Workshop
Wednesday, March 27 to Wednesday, April 4, 2013 – 8 days, 7 nights Discover Oaxaca, use your camera to document the culture and traditions of this most important annual ritual, and immerse yourself in Zapotec village life. Our expeditions are learning workshops designed to develop your photography skills while you have fun during a global […]
Shop Mexico–The Artisan Sisters Week 12: Majolica Pitcher and Plate
Beyond the city of Guanajuato, just outside the mining town of Valenciana, is the village of Santa Rosa where a local family has created majolica ceramics for generations. One of the styles is similar to Italian pottery that one can find in the Siena hills outside of Florence, with soft, muted colors and subtle paintings […]
Dilemma: Separating the blog from my personal life — gaps and overlaps
This post is not so much about life and travel to, in, and around Oaxaca and Mexico, as it is an update about where I’ve been over the last few weeks and where I am now — both in the physical and existential sense. It isn’t easy to write about this since it means going […]
Oaxaca Day of the Dead Photography Exhibit at Duke University Set: Chavez Family to Participate
On Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m., an opening reception will be held at Duke University Friedl Building Jameson gallery for “Days of the Dead: From Mexican Roots to Present Day Practice in the United States,” in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Included will be 25 photographs taken in 2011 by participants* in the Day […]
Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters Week 11–Bertha Cruz Alebrijes
Whimsical carved copal wood and hand painted, these Oaxaca treasures from the studio workshop of artisan Bertha Cruz can be yours. Send me an email to let me know which one you want and I will send you a PayPal invoice. all prices include shipping and handling for the continental U.S.A. First: SOLD. Do the […]
A Fast Walk Through Oaxaca, Mexico
A special treat to share with you! See Oaxaca in accelerated motion, lots of stunning visual in two minutes. Disfruta bien. Oaxaca Walk Through from LernandoFopez on Vimeo. Go beyond armchair travel! Come experience Oaxaca through one of our upcoming photography workshops, Day of the Dead Photo Expedition or Street Photography!
Jean Paul Gaultier, Bad Boy of Fashion, Madonna and the Virgin of Guadalupe
In 2007, French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier introduced his Spring/Summer 2007 Haute Couture Collection – Virgins on the Paris runway. It was controversial, ethereal, and evocative, garnering applause and criticism throughout the world. This week I saw this collection, along with others on exhibition […]
Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters Week 10–Tin hearts Frida-style and a word about nichos
Oaxaca is filled with craftsmen tucked away in small corners of the city hammering tinware into picture frames, throbbing Frida-style hearts, and ornate boxes. With hammer in hand, a large nail and metal clippers, they create exquisite designs in locally made metal. The results can be as simple as a small nicho — a little […]
Nature science journal confirms indigenous Oaxacans descend from Asia
The roads to the Americas: ancient Native american migration patterns nature: the international weekly journal of science, in its August 16, 2012 issue, published new findings that the Americas was populated in at least three distinct waves from Siberia across the Bering Straits beginning 15,000 years ago. Genetic testing has confirmed this. According to the […]