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Friday, March 02, 2012

First Oaxaca


My feet are back on familiar ground after a month of art, language study and absorbing all I could in three cities of Mexico. John and I left Portland on the first of February and arrived home again in the early hours of this morning. I uncharacteristically did not shoot as many photos as on previous trips but here is a sampling from Oaxaca.


We spent about half of our time in Oaxaca; the landscape above will give testimony to its beauty. Sitting in a valley south of Mexico City, it's a hub for the arts; painting, botany, culinary. In addition I never fail to feel a deep connection to the history and vibe of the city. All of Mexico is magical and Oaxaca in addition is a center of diversity; rich inspiration for the artist.


I ran into friends here, women from the art retreat world, friends of a dearest friend, women who invited me in and made me feel welcome and even fed me dinner at their lodging. Nothing is warmer than friends who prepare food for you and talk into the night about art. Our time together was a highlight of the trip. (visit Ellen Benson's work here!)


The Bed & Breakfast where we stayed went out of their way to prepare vegan meals for us. 


These plates were breakfasts; local organic food served each day with fruit, juices, breads and coffee, locally made chocolate or tea.  *sigh*


Our friends from San Miguel joined us around the halfway point of the trip and the food enjoyment continued while we visited museums, the town of Teotitlan, exhibits and markets.


A window inside the Santo Domingo Cultural Center. 


Outside was a huge exhibit of 2501 ceramic statues by the artist Alejandro Santiago. Watch the wonderful explanation and more photos here; better photographs than mine and a moving story of the sculptures.


This is what they looked like on site. 


We visited the Tamayo Museum of Prehispanic Art ...


the Stamp Museum, Textile Museum, Contemporary Art Museum and took many long and serious siestas in addition to attending 3 hour daily language classes and doing HOMEWORK! So lots of study and as much resting as we could squeeze in too. Tomorrow I'll write a little about Puebla and then San Miguel as we traveled with our friends northward. (No, no banditos. There's no more crime in Mexico than there is here.)

After that we'll return to our regular programming. Thanks for not giving up on me during my long time away from the blog. Over and out!

16 comments:

Lynn Cohen said...

Dear Judy,
I dare say you never have to worry about being "given up on"...by any of us your faithful followers/friends.

I have been waiting for these words and photos and loved them all you do not disappoint!

The trip sounds absolutely fantastic in all ways. Happy for you!

Good to have you back.

lyle baxter said...

yes, it is good to have you back and to hear that you had a wonderful month! long ago I saw a photo of the statues but had forgotten them. what a great (in every sense,) project that is. thanks for the reminder!

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Looking forward to more photos and stories...this looks like an incredible art and appetite journey!

Unknown said...

Hi Judy :)

Welcome home lady! I hope the sunshine will welcome you too.
Mexico looks amazing...and those vegan breakfasts, yum! Looking forward to seeing more pics of Mexico and your work!

♥Jenny

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Judy, glad you are back "safe and sound" ... also interesting that you say there is no more crime there than here. We hear about such horrible things.

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Judy, glad you are back "safe and sound" ... also interesting that you say there is no more crime there than here. We hear about such horrible things.

Kathy said...

Welcome home! It sounds like you have a wonderful and rejuvinating trip. There is nothing like a change of scenery and routine to inspire!

PeregrineBlue said...

i yearn to return to oaxaca. we spent easter there a few years ago. i loved the zocalo where we discovered our favorite restaurant "como agua para chocolate". also the best struedel we've ever eaten anywhere. and culture everywhere. and all those colors.

looking forward to seeing your Oaxaca journal pages.

Briana, MA said...

What an amazing trip. Thanks so much for sharing your photos along with the links to your artist friend and the artist who created the migrantes statues.

Jackie said...

So glad you're back home!! Looks like a beautiful trip - look forward to more pictures! What an adventure! xo

Ruth Armitage said...

Welcome Home! Thanks for sharing your fabulous inspiration & taking us along on a mini-version of your trip!

Jess said...

Beautiful! And so exciting. I'm glad you had a lovely time away. xoxoxox

Parabolic Muse said...

How great to hear all about this. What an explorer! Off to read more

Kim Rae Nugent said...

It looks like you had a wonderful vacation.

Linda Esterley said...

i missed you horribly! so glad you had this opportunity...am enjoying it along with you through your photos & travelogue.

lulu moonwood murakami said...

Oh, heavenly! I love seeing Oaxaca again through your photos! The statue exhibit looks amazing!