Fun, Fun, Fun

After the WARP conference was over we went to Teotitlan del Valle for three days and had a great time. Jose and Bob were our hosts and Jose our guide to pueblas in the surrounding area as well as tripping around the village itself. While there we went to San Bartolo to see the Bara Negro (black) ceramic as well as the wonderful popular arts museum located there. Our friend Jacobo Mendosa has a lovely piece in that exhibition. In the village we visited the studios of Roman Guitierez, Fidel Cruz and Jacobo Mendoza. All of them are busy with amazing work.

                                                   Jose showing off his new green shoes

Fidel Cruz's grandson   

 giving us a lecture about the natural dye materials

Bob and Jose's terrace

                                   
                                                                    Elaine and Lolli 
                                             having their first lunch in Teotitlan del Valle

We at lunch at the crossing in San Martin. Unbelievable dishes, some of which are Bob's favorites  with stuffed Publano peppers that tasted heavenly in a white sauce of chile and pomegranate seeds.Then we moved on to the inner part of San Martin and our favorite alebrije studio.

Elaine with a big alebrije piece

Alebrije studio at San Martin

At WARP Conference in Oaxaca

Several days ago I completed an amazing tour to some remote areas in the state of  Veracruz. We spent one day in the city of Veracruz and then departed for visits to remote sites where exceptional weavers and embroiderers live. I don't have the names down right yet so I'll continue this post a little later.

We're in Oaxaca now at the WEAVE A REAL PEACE CONFERENCE  being held at the San Pablo Foundation and the Oaxaca Textile Museum. I am sorry to reveal that I experienced a sudden failing along with extreme pain of my right knee on Friday morning while crossing Calle Hildago to go to the San Pablo. Because it was a Friday and I was feeling worse by the hour, I agreed to go to a wonderful little hospital near my usual hotel in Oaxaca. Sue, the little hospital on Reforma that you went to came through again. A lovely young doctor did a fine job of looking into what was wrong with my knee. There is inflamation between two parts I won't venture to identify and he decided not to x-ray it because of my pacer and defibrillator. He deemed it not to be an emergency, just very painful but nothing broken. His orders were to stay off of it for at least six days and take anti-inflammatory pills and gel for the pain. I'm feeling ever so much better now but I'm being watched like a hawk and ordered to do practically nothing by my buddies. So, today they are all out on the streets of Oaxaca exploring the tiendas and museums and going to Los Danzantes for lunch. I was, of course, scheduled to be on that tour also, but I'm cooling my heels and deciding to deal with Google and the eccentricities of managing to get back into my blog. Obviously I've gained entry, but only after changing my password one more time.

This afternoon I'll try to transfer a few of the pictures I have from the Veracruz trip so I can share them with you. Hasta la tarde for now. Hugs to all and —Do come back later, OK?

Lolli on first afternoon in Veracruz

Weaving deonstration first night

Our guests first night

Wonderful dancers and musicians

Amazon fish luncheon after island visit

It never hurts to try!

I have spent the last hour trying to get access into my own blog. Sound familiar? Apologies to those who have been urging me to report in with news from Oaxaca. It's not always easy when you are dealing with machines that don't talk.

All that aside, Oaxaca is beautiful. Not 100% peaceful from time to time, but if you stay in the right places (and according to some, don't wear golden earrings)  you can have a very pleasant time.

I went to Los Danzantes for comida on Wednesday with my friends Carol and Mike. Couldn't have been more beautiful.  This has to be one of the most creative spots to eat in the world. Presentation is always a thrill and taste combinations very often a surprise. We started with a molded quinoa salad with micro sized cucumber added along with avocado and other goodies, all held together by a cucumber gel.

The entre was a kind of wrapped fish and octopus mixture with a scored pastry covering. Quite tasty and delicious as well as great to look at.

Dessert was a mango gelato sitting on a bed of goat cheese with scattered pieces of mango and strawberry chunks all topped by some kind of stiff and sweet goodie. It was delicious. Especially the combo of the mango and goat cheese.

So there you are, dear friends.  Who knows if they'll let me into this oh so private space again, but I promise you that I'll try. And you do know I'm a stubborn Taurus.