Culpability
This is my last month in Durham, North Carolina. I’m preparing to move west to Taos, NM on May 6, 2021, if all goes forward as planned. Last week, I walked to Maplewood Cemetery and around the historic tobacco town filled with renovated warehouses, factories and storefronts. Each step is a reminiscence of my 21 […]
Oaxaca Return: Voy a Regresar and Packing
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 11, is my travel day back to Oaxaca where I’ll stay put for a while. Yet, I tell myself it’s good to be where you are now. No looking back, no regrets, no living out into the future but to appreciate each gift of the moment. Today, I will connect with friends. […]
Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead: Talking With the Ancestors
The altar is complete. Dia de los Muertos — Day of the Dead– 2018 has passed. The difuntos, spirits of the ancestors, have returned to their resting places content that we have welcomed them back to earth for the day to celebrate their lives. Some of us talk to our parents, ask their advice, admonish […]
Photo Essay: Oaxaca Cochineal Dye Workshop in Durham, NC
Yesterday, my Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, godson Omar Chavez Santiago, from Galeria Fe y Lola, taught a cochineal natural dye workshop through INDIO Durham, hosted by owner Wendy Sease. We had a sold-out workshop. Most people don’t know that cochineal is the natural dye that colors lipstick, Campari, yogurt, and wine. Anything labeled carminic acid […]
Oaxaca Weaver in Raleigh-Durham, NC, October 17-21, 2018
Omar Chavez Santiago, a young talented weaver from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, and Galeria Fe y Lola, will be in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina for a set of talks, cochineal dye demonstrations and textile sales from October 17 to October 21, 2018. Events are open to the public. Please attend and share widely! Thank […]
Long Day, Soft Landing to Oaxaca, Mexico — City Mouse, Country Mouse
Life is bimodal. I’m a city mouse in Durham, North Carolina, and a country mouse in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca. Federico says I’m an honorary Zapoteca although I can only say hello and raise a toast in his native language. For the time being, I travel back and forth, with roots in both places with […]
Omar’s Discovery Tour: A First Visit to the USA
Omar Chavez Santiago is twenty-four years old. He is a weaver and natural dyer from Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico. Last year, he graduated with a degree in industrial engineering after studying for four years at Anahuac University in Oaxaca. He is at a cross-roads. Does he pursue a professional engineering career and move to […]
Galeria Fe y Lola Oaxaca Rugs + Tapestries in Durham, North Carolina — All Weekend
A snapshot of Galeria Fe y Lola rugs and tapestries on exhibition today through Sunday at INDIO in Brightleaf Square, Durham. Color. Quality. Sustainable. 100% natural dyes. Meet Omar Chavez Santiago and hear about how they are made in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico. Please Share!
Zinacantan, Chiapas Flowers at North Carolina Textiles Trunk Show
We would appreciate it if you would SHARE on Social Media and send on to your friends. I have over 100 garments and 30 pieces of jewelry to sell in addition to 22 fabulous Galeria Fe y Lola tapestry rugs and Montaño Family handbags. We will be at Echoview Fiber Mill, April 12, 4-8 pm […]
North Carolina Hosts Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Weaver with Two Trunk Shows
Omar Chavez Santiago is a fifth generation weaver from Teotitlan del Valle who works in natural dyes. His family operates Galeria Fe y Lola in Oaxaca city. I asked my Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) to alert the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City that Omar was coming on March 1, 2018, for his visa interview. Few […]
Mexico in Durham, North Carolina: Art & Textiles Trunk Show
INDIO owner Wendy Sease recently traveled with me to Chiapas. She bought up beautiful treasures for her shop. I’ve just returned to my apartment in Durham, North Carolina, for a couple of months with three suitcases filled with textiles and jewelry. We decided to collaborate. YOU ARE INVITED. Bring a friend. Plus, the BIG news […]
Getting Ready for Day of the Dead in Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina is a long way from Oaxaca, Mexico — or so it seems. So many Latino families live in our region that while it is not as easy to construct a traditional Day of the Dead altar, it is not impossible. Recently, I discovered La Superior Super Tienda Y Taqueria in the Braggtown section […]
Dreaming in Durham, North Carolina: Standing for DACA
Two days ago I walked to the demonstration by the Bull in Downtown Durham. I reminded myself that this is one important reason to be in the USA: To make a difference, call my elected officials, stand up for what I believe are human rights violations in these times of peril when our judicial system […]
Durham, North Carolina, Journal One: Taking Down the Statues
It’s been a week since Charlottesville, Virginia, demonstrations and death. This was home for two years when I worked for the University of Virginia almost two decades ago. Charlottesville has always been this idyllic center of the universe where Mr. Jefferson’s Lawn spoke volumes of intellectual and cultural elitism, privilege and responsibility to nationhood. Here, […]
Poco a Poco: Unpacking Oaxaca in North Carolina
My first week here was busy. The North Carolina Tar Heels won the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and are crowned champions. I managed to stay up until midnight to watch it all and celebrate. The NCAA, in its infinite ignorance, announced it would lift the sanctions and bring sports tourneys back to NC since the […]
Where are you from? Where are you going? Oaxaca, Mexico. Durham, North Carolina.
Yesterday was a long travel day to get from Oaxaca, Mexico, to Durham, North Carolina. On the early morning flight from Oaxaca to Mexico City, I met Carina Pacheco from San Pablo Villa de Mitla, Oaxaca. She was on her way to Cabo San Lucas where the family has a shop that sells famous Mitla […]
Grits and Urban Revitalization, Durham, North Carolina
My North Carolina visit is coming to a close and I return to Oaxaca on Saturday, April 30. While I’ve been here, I’ve eaten a lot of grits, tomato gravy and fried green tomatoes. I love grits. A particular pleasure is catch up time with important friends with whom I have a deep, long and connected […]
Somewhere Beyond Mexico: North Cackalacky, USA
North Cackalacky is an endearing slang term that many of us call our beloved adopted state of North Carolina. Also famous for her hot spicy barbecue sauce called, yes, Cackalacky. I just came back from a weekend in the mountains where apple orchards, dogwoods and azaleas were in full bloom. The young maple leaves were that […]
Dos Perros, Durham, NC, Mexican Restaurant Oaxaca Rug Decor
Durham, NC is the destination for dining, named among the top 10 locales in the U.S. for great restaurants and urban redesign. The downtown is renewed, gentrified and electrified. It is more than charming. It is full of spunk and sizzle. Turn the corner, discover another great dining room and bar with kick-A ambience. One of […]