Cee’s Oddball Challenge #7: Cow on the Wall

On the rump of the cow it says “Why do you eat me?”
Guadalajara, Mexico

Weekly Photo Challenge: Faces

Faces, whether real or imagined, always tell a story…

Click on any photo to enlarge.

And those stories can also be true or invented.

 

Enjoy many more FACES here: http://wheresmybackpack.com/2015/11/13/travel-theme-faces/

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!

Cabbages and beans

Red flowers are Cockscomb

Minding the goats

Picking radishes, field of onions

Washing and bundling delicious Oaxaca radishes

Always there is corn…

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

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

Orange you glad it’s photo challenge time?

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!

Total restoration of this church was in progress

Inside

And out….I was glad to see that no one was on the scaffolding this windy day!

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.

 

Dome of the kiosk in the zócalo

Detail of a park bench

We couldn’t figure out what this was, and there was no one around to ask! Ideas anyone?

In 1847 Tlacotalpan was recognized for defending against US forces in the Mexican American War

Elegant woodwork trimmed doorways throughout the city.

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!

A Word A Week Challenge: Mural

Two very different murals on opposite sides of a Oaxaca street!

Enjoy more mural posts here: https://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/a-word-a-week-photograph-challenge-mural/