Miscellaneous Images From The Last Week in Oaxaca

Iohan and Donaji. The oldest and youngest children of the family I am living with. They are both really nice. Also, extremely sweet to each other. I think we forget how wonderful our siblings are. I sure am thankful for mine more recently.



Rosaries made from ceramic "Barro Negro". The area near Oaxaca is famous for this pottery. Is it very beautiful, and worth the trip to the pueblo were it is made. This art is traditionally made in San Bartolo Coyotepec, it is a very nice and tranquil place, compared to Oaxaca. The church there is also very nice looking. However, it was closed while I was there, and I could not go on the grounds.



Some sandals out in the Campo



The flowers in the rainy season here are very beautiful. The wild flowers are still a little far and few. This only makes them more beautiful.



A forgotten shoe in the road near my families home outside the city.


Me, in the forest!!



My friend Donald. I had the pleasure of running around with Donald for two weeks. He has now left Oaxaca for his land in Michoacan. He is an Austin native, an alum, and retired employee of UT.

Thank you as always for stopping by and taking a look!

¡Hierve El Agua y Mucho Mezcal! ¡Ayayay!

The Church of Santo Domingo. The churches here are absolutely gorgeous. Also, within the walls of this church is a museum and a botanical garden. I plan on going to the museum tomorrow.




Hierve El Agua (The Water Boils). These springs literally come bubbling up on the side of a mountain. They are not hot or cold. However, they are heavy in mineral content. Because of the heavy mineral content there are formations of travertine (sp?) all over everything. There are beautiful pools that extend to the edge of the ridge.




Some formations.




A photograph from in the pool (yes I took my camera in the water!)




More formations. The amount of wild looking formations are endless.




The postcard shot.




Another photograph in one of the pools




This is a a little stream of the water coming out of the rock. The heavy mineral content creates many colors.




Another spring in a different part of the mountain.




This area, at least during the rainy season, is green and beautiful with many plants that become ready to bloom during this season.




"Viva Mexico" scratched into the red bark of a tree on the side of the mountain.




¡¡Maguey!! This region is also famous for its Mezcal. The wikipedia article after this link is good and correct about the production of Mezcal. Mezcal is a close relative to Tequila, and some of it is really good.




This young girl was helping with a stage in the process of mezcal production. After they cook the roots of the maguey plant, they smash it with a large stone wheel.




Maguey or blue agave.

P.S. I bought a bunch of this stuff. But they don't really bottle it at the factories. So you have to fill up a plastic bottle you have on hand. I have since found a store that sells glass bottles and tops specifically for this. I have bought one to put my mezcal in. I have a feeling that on of these weekends might get a little borracho.

Fotos de Los Calles de Oaxaca

I am learning more and more about the teacher protests and other group protests that have been happening in Oaxaca for the last 28 years. I am also learning more of the indigenous peoples of this region and the pueblos they live in. The most famous and instrumental protests occurred in 2006.




There is graffiti all over the city of Oaxaca. Most of the graffiti is in reference to political groups, and the ongoing protests. There are many references to APPO. There are many calls to fight against capitalism. As well as many calls to free political prisoners. Some of the graffiti in these pictures has already been scrubbed of the walls of churches and municipal buildings. I think it is on going process.







I also found a Chevy Nova in Oaxaca. For those of you who do not know, "no va" means no go, or doesn't go. It seems to be a kind of marketing legend that this car sold poorly in Spanish speaking countries because of the name. I have found that this is apparently false after reading some internet articles. I also put a little vintage flair on this photograph in PS due to the timing of this story.

Enjoy. Thank you!!

Fotos de La Playa

The beautiful and talented Margaret Compton Hobbs




My Mom and Dad




AND......The CRAZY family shot! AAAaaaahhhhh!!!

El Primero Post de Mexico

Ohh Yeeaaahhhh!!!




A few night time shots. The first I have done in quite a while. There is really something about slowing down and paying the attention to an exposure that is over ten seconds. The longest ten seconds of your life. Waiting for that click of the shutter and mirror.



The moon was almost full. The sky was clear. The perfect conditions for a few long night shots. As well as a great night for a few tequila shots. Also a good thing about those long exposures. You can do something else!




I really love Mexico. These were taken near Playa Del Carmen. I am now in Oaxaca taking classes for Spanish. A great summer. However, it is very often difficult to be away from family and friends. These journeys are for healing, but man they hurt sometimes. I love you all!!

Thank you for reading and looking.