The sweetest dog I've ever met
A laugh a minute
This dog loves yarn
This last weekend was almost indescribable. Five of us arrived by bus from Oaxaca (City) to the junction of the highway and the road leading up and through The hillside town of Teotitlan del Valle. We were picked up at that crossing by our friend Jacabo Vasquez. We drove directly through the uphill way to Jacabo's home where we were greeted by his wife Mireya and their three children. We were there to celebrate our friendship with this lovely family as well as the birthdays of two members of the group including Mireya. It also just happened to be Valentines Day. All in all, many excuses to have a roaring good time.
Any color will do
This gorgeous twelve year old studies and speaks English like a pro
Teotitlan del Valle is a town where just about every single person is a weaver. They are known for their tapestries, rugs and other loom woven fabrics. The degree of quality in the weaving is not to be believed. Many in this pueblo use Zapotec symbols and keep the art and traditions of that group of people alive and well. More than ever before the weavers are also doing natural dyeing with local and otherwise procured plant material. Each year the skills seem improved and their demonstrations of natural dyeing are absolutely captivating. Our hosts at the Vasquez compound use all natural dyes. Their products are sold in the town as well as in the city of Oaxaca and many of the nearby pueblos especially at their weekly markets.
Jacobo and the cake
Our happy visit to the market
This was Kathy's first journey to this wonderful pueblo and she took to it like a fish to water. We drank and ate and visited all the rest of the afternoon in the company of our Zapotec hosts to the point of almost bursting. Traditional soup was served when we entered the dining room and it was followed by a chicken mole that was to die for. Tortillas with any number of meats and sauces soon followed and a super moist and delicious birthday cake with Carol's name on it topped it all off with toasts every few minutes that put everyone in a mighty fine mood.
Mireya at the loom
Our little group is following the educational progress of the family's older son who is in his second year at University in Oaxaca. All three of their children are a delight to be with as is their totally captivating dog. I'm posting a number of scenes from Saturday and Sunday's activities with this loving family.
Mireya stirring delicious chocolate with the geletin dish in view
After an overnight at a nearby Air B&B, where we had a welcoming cup of coffee before being picked up by Mireya and taken to the Teotitlan Market. This indoor/outdoor market is a warm and wonderful place to be on a Sunday morning. Flowers abound, meats of all kinds are being displayed and carved, vegetables and fruits are everywhere and baked goods make the whole place a paradise of heavenly aromas. Of course there are textiles of all kinds, baskets, carved wooden objects and a host of other handmade items there, ready for purchase.
Mireya winding bobbins
Trying on a traditional Zapotec Apron
Our happy group
After that warm and friendly experience at the market, we convened at the Vasquez home where we were seated again in the dining room and treated to the most delicious chocolate along with breads just bought at the market and followed by portions of the mole with chicken and rice from the previous day. Then came a gelatin dish I'd like to attempt to copy. It contained nuts, vanilla gelatin, grated carrots and various seasonings. I might try making it with almond milk. Yummy.
Carol and Mireya in celebratory hats
Our visit culminated with an invitation into the family's show room where all their gorgeous rugs, tapestries, bags, pillow covers and such are arranged in neat stacks. We tore into them and had a hard time resisting each and every item. Needless to say I did a bit of buying as did Kathy and the rest of the group. We walked away a bunch of very happy campers. Jacobo and Mireya drove us back to Oaxaca and we didn't need to eat a thing until the next day. Truly a weekend to remember.
The beautiful youngest and oldest members of the family
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