Alaska, Mexico and Beyond…
“One Journey Leads to Another”
Archive for the tag “architecture”
Guanajuato, MexicoCee’s Photo Challenge: Contrast Colors
Contrasting colors in Oaxaca? Too easy. Oaxaca is awash with bold color combinations. It could be the birthplace of color contrasts! A one hour walk around El Centro provided more photo ops than I imagined. I did not have to find them – they found me!
Click on any photo for a slide show
If you just can’t decide what color to use…why not use them all!
Photo taken in San Martín Tilcajete
Throughout the day and even at sunset, the colors that surround us are intensified by the beautiful Oaxaca blue sky.
HIKING OAXACA: Zegache to Ocotlán
All dressed up for the Day of the Dead festivities, this happy couple greeted us in the village of Zegache, where our hike began.
click on any photo to enlarge it
The group gathered in front of the spectacular church of Santa Ana Zegache. No matter how many times I visit this church, its vivid colors entice me to take just a few more photos!
We headed out across a flat and peaceful agricultural valley toward the villages of San Antonino and Ocotlán. It’s wonderful to see small fields with several varieties of vegetables instead of gigantic agribusiness farms. People grow many vegetables for sale in local markets, and they use oxen and horses to pull plows and wagons. Farmers in some villages collectively own a tractor and everyone can use it!
Brilliant marigolds and red cockscombs are the favored flowers for Day of the Dead celebrations, and people were cutting them and hauling wagon loads to the cemeteries to use for decorating the graves of their ancestors.
Yet another beautifully painted church in San Antonino
Ocotlán was the home of well known artist Rodolfo Morales, and these are sections of a huge mural he painted behind the portico of the municipal building.
And then… what luck! We spotted a sidewalk mezcal bar and joined some locals for a welcome and unexpected end of hike treat!
For more photos of this and other colorful churches: https://alaskamexicoandbeyond.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/painted-churches/
For a short biography on Rodolfo Morales: http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_oaxaca_morales1.htm
For interesting information about the saints inside the church: http://colonialmexicoinsideandout.blogspot.mx/2013/10/painted-churches-of-oaxaca-santa-ana.html
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Religious Buildings
Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church
Built circa 1895 in Kenai, Alaska
A sign next to this little building across the street reads:
Saint Nicholas Memorial Chapel
Built and Consecrated (1906) over the graves of
Igumen Nicholai (1810-1867) Makary Ivanov (1835-1878) and others.
To view more photos from this challenge click here: http://ceenphotography.com/2015/04/07/cees-fun-foto-challenge-churches-or-any-religious-building-2/
Weekly Photo Challenge: Orange
In Mexico the boldness of orange brightens every part of life – in fact I’m wondering if the Mexican people invented orange!
They love to….
LIVE IN IT
WORSHIP IN IT
Church in Xalapa, Veracruz
EAT and DRINK IT
Click on any photo for a larger view
RIDE IN IT or ON IT
CREATE ART and DECORATION WITH IT
CELEBRATE WITH IT
Part of a light show projected onto a church front during Day of the Dead celebrations.
-
- Marigolds for Day of the Dead
OR JUST RELAX and ENJOY IT!
Sierra Norte near the village of Benito Juárez
Tlacotalpan, Where is Everybody?
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, is a small city with a population of almost 9,000. During the 24 hours we spent there, we saw probably less than 50. Where were they? Walking the streets was a bit eerie, as the streets of Mexican towns and cities are usually full of people walking, talking, eating, and laughing. Few stores or businesses were open. Granted, the blustery gray day wasn’t the best for outdoor activities; apparently they were experiencing a “norte,” the local name for cold fronts from the north that dominate the weather from October to April. Still, I’ve never known a little cold to hamper socializing and shopping!
UNESCO granted World Heritage Site status to Tlacotalpan in 1998 partly due to to its graceful style of architecture.
Click on any photo in the gallery for a slideshow.
The reason for including colorful arches on the logo is obvious – and if your building doesn’t have arches just paint them on!
A few hardy souls braved the brisk wind!
We strolled the streets and enjoyed the artwork and other intriguing sights, but we never found a hot coffee nor a cold beer!
Street scenes in tile decorated many park benches.
Tlacotalpan is well known for its Feb. 2 festival “Our Lady of Candlemas.” If you are looking for action, I recommend visiting then. But you are welcome anytime!
Mexico City from the Turibus Top
Viewed from the air, the metropolis of Mexico City is awesome in its enormity. Located in the Valley of Mexico at an altitude of approximately 2200 m (7217 ft.), the city embraces the surrounding mountains and creeps up their slopes. The city and its 25,000,000 inhabitants are guarded by (or threatened by!) the active volcano Popocatépetl, 5426 m, (17,802 ft.). Tenochtitlán, the original Aztec city on this site, was conquered by the Spaniards in the early 1500’s, and they eventually rebuilt the city in the Spanish Colonial style.
Downtown Mexico City (Feb. 2012)
During a recent bus trip from Oaxaca to Colima, we spent a couple of nights in Mexico City. The open top of a double-decker bus was the best way to get an overview of the historical city center. Tree tops shaded us and sometimes brushed our faces as the bus wound through commercial and residential areas. Sleek modern skyscrapers contrast sharply with elaborate styles of the past.
Styles of the Centuries
Monument to Benito Juárez the only Indigenous president of Mexico
Winged Horse Statue
We definitely look forward to exploring Mexico City in more detail!
-
Flags
Alaska, Mexico and Beyond... 