Sunday,February 10, 2013 — Made it to MOCA today

Pretty dark but a fun night with music

He just kept adding new things to each one — cheeses & veggies

Lucia's mother making breakfast tortillas for us

Today I finally made it to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Definitely a place to see. I had heard so much about their red dirt courtyard with the mirror pool in the center. I sat on a bench and looked around the courtyard at other people with mesmerized smiles on their faces. Some places just do that to you. I enjoyed much of the art but I have to say that it's the building that really wows me. One exhibit featured many variations on very stylized agave shapes, some intersecting and some not. Some quite minimalist and some much busier. I have to admit, I saw the basis for a tapestry or two in several of those themes. Certainly much food for thought. So glad I finally made it to this much talked about place.

On my way home I stopped in at the shop Abigail runs. I bought a small experimental pierce by Tito that I'm very happy with. Will pick it up from the shop on Wednesday on my way to the Abuela Res- taurant upstairs. Going there because of the Almond mole and the great view seats for seeing the Wednesday night dancing in the plaza. One of those early pics I posted is from that same restaurant.

Several nights ago a few of us went to hear music and then had hamburgers from a street vendor our friend Brad from Sonoma goes to all the time. So I broke my time honored rule about not eating street food. Had the best hamburger I've ever had and I survived. The music was good and lots of fun. A guitar, base guitar, mandolin, sax and singer. I'll try to post a little video but I'm pretty insecure about that little routine. So we shall see. After that, I'm off to bed early to get a good start on the first day of my second week of class.

Just realized I didn't tell you about the very exciting trip out to San Augustin to see Eric Mindling's ceramic collection. Something for tomorrow for sure.   Abrazos,  Jackie

Friday, February 8, 2013 — End of first week of classes

Roman Gutierrez plying feathers into his weft

The beautiful Teotitlan Market facility just before being occupied

Jacobo proudly showing their latest yellow dyes done the day before

Several of Abigail's gorgeous blouses

Samples by Jackie and Martha on display at Jacobo's and Maria Louisa's

Jackie's sampler just before cutting off

Checking out Abigail's heavenly wardrobe

A collection of Mendoza dye materials plus roving from Martha's Argentinian Llamas

One of the beautiful salads served to us by Maria Louisa and Sylvia

I have survived my first week of class and the school has decided to keep our class together at least for the next week. I've grown quite fond of my fellow classmates so that's fine with me. Tomorrow morning I'm catching a cab with several others from the class for a trip to St. Augustin. Eric Mindling has what is reputed to be a magnificent showing of old and contemporary ceramics at the museum there. The museum is quite new and I've been told its architecture is a wonder to behold. Can't wait to see it. There is also supposed to be a museum of paper making on the lower level of that building. The trick is evidently choosing the right day to be there when they are actually making paper I'll keep my fingers crossed. Should be a wonderful day.

In the picture department, I'm backing up a little to finish showing you a few more pics from Teotitlan del Valle before I move on. One is of sample weavings by Martha and me in which we explored several Zapotec motifs and techniques. Also some assorted pics from other places in town. Hope you enjoy them.   Abrazos,   Jackie

Thursday, February 7, 2013 — Back On Line

Our first site of what was to come

Susan and Dennis having too much fun

The masters at work

I've never chopped garlic so fine

Chiote simmering for the vegetarian dish — Yum!

Isn't that a thing of beauty?

Our salad under way

Very serious work this

Many creative hands at work

Yesterday was definitely an up and down time for our local wifi service. They have split up our hotel grounds into two service areas — I'm sure to improve the situation, but that doesn't appear to be the current result. Anyway, you've all been in the same situation one time or another so I'm assuming your tolerant attitude will prevail. I have no choice.

I'm going to try to post the pics that didn't make it during yesterday's I T failure before it all goes off again. — Well, it worked. These are the other scenes from our glorious cooking class. It was such a happy and creative group of people there to learn and have fun. Can't beat that combination. At about 7:00 we finally sat down to eat. Of course it was beyond delicious. We had cooked it! Why wouldn't it be? We were a happy, somewhat tipsy, well fed group as we exited down the steep steps to the two waiting vans. The trip home was full of good conversations. And you all know what a hopeless eavesdropper I am. Had a hard time keeping up with it all.

Back to "Now time." The whole school is having a written placement test tomorrow because there will be a big shuffle before the next period starts next Monday. I'd like to progress just a little without doing too well and placing myself in a more stressful level. We'll just have to see. Wish me that just right, moderate (as always) outcome. Buena noche mis amigos.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 — About That Cooking Class

Chiles at the Etla market

The land of Chile

Delicious fruit

Our guide knew her bananas

One side for pork and one side for beef

Pollos grandes

One of our group from Montreal — He was fun

Every juice possible

Eggs and fish

I am so happy that Jenny shared the details about Susana Trilling's cooking class with me before I left California. This is not something I do too often but will do again. An early morning visit to the market in Etla where we sampled anything and everything. Then a short ride out into the nearby country side to the site of "Seasons of My Heart" B &B and cooking school. I'm on my way to Biznaga Restaurant in a few minutes so I'll return to this later but will attempt to post some pics before I go, Hasta luego.

I'm back after a great Fresca salad at Biznaga but the wifi is definitely up and down by the minute so I am going to try to post what I've been able to upload and try again tomorrow. Abrazos,   Jackie

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 — A Home Away From Home

Back at Mitla with our guide and Yadin

Lolli in gorgeous purple and blue

Our guide giving lengthy explanation to Yadin

On to Monte Alban

Construction maintenance repairs in full swing

Monte Alban view down to Oaxaca City in the valley

Beautiful clouds over Monte Alban

This tree gets me every time I see it

Look at those clouds!

Mary toasting last night's dinner at Abagail's fabulous restaurant

A Teotitlan farewell with many promises to return

Staying here at "Las Mariposas" on Pino Suarez is such a comfort. Many friends from other years and delightful new people coming through every few days. It is so well located just down the street from my favorite park in Oaxaca — Llano Park. Always something going on there, I walk right through the length  of the park on my way to the Institute each morning. Today a brass band was just starting up as I walked by and some school children were obviously preparing to sing or dance or — something. Add Sunday morning's Zumba routine and the all day market on Fridays and you have something for everyone at all times.

My Spanish class is turning out to be a sliver too easy but I'm not complaining. It's good review and there is a plan to reshuffle everyone by next week. Certainly less stressful and a hearty homework assignment for tonight. — Which I haven't done yet.

Backing up just a bit, I'm planning on posting some pics from our trip to Monte Alban last week and then tomorrow I'll tell you about the trip to the huge market in Etla which was followed by the fantastic afternoon of cooking class with Susanna Trilling at "Seasons of My Heart." Three other north coasters also took part in that fun. None of it will soon be forgotten. Pam, another participant and a film maker from Montana is staying here at Las Mariposas and adding greatly to the rich mix of people.

The trip to Monte Alban was a different experience for me. Last year I went with one of the City Tours and was carefully led around the grounds site by site. It was highly enlightening because our leader knew so much about the flora still existing and its various uses by the early inhabitants. Such things as Kapoc trees played a huge role in sustaining those people so long ago. Other trees and plants were used to dye fibers as well as contribute to the food supply. Our guide knew every last little detail.

This year's visit was done sin tour leader and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially the freedom to progress to favorite locations at my own pace was very relaxing. I enjoyed sharing the experience with Martha, who had been my studio mate working that week with the Jacobo Mendozos. It's always fun to see a familiar site through the eyes of someone else. It adds just a nice little slice of unexpected reactions and insights.

Thanks so much to friends from home who've been checking in with me and telling me what's going on in the northland. I really appreciate even the shortest of your contacts. Some of you have also come to my rescue attending to little (or big) uncompleted chores. So happy to hear that we made the first cut with our grant proposal to the Community Foundation. The site visit took place Monday and I'm crossing my fingers for a positive outcome. It was great having Lolli down here for a few days. I'm glad to hear that she thinks she is beginning to be on the mend from a bug she came down with while in Oaxaca. I'm sending "Get well Lolli" vibes each day, girl. Muchos abrazos to all,   Jackie

Monday, February 4, 2013 — Lost pictures found

Lolli enjoying the Mitla walls

Mitla walls

Mary and Archie enjoying the sun

Jean Pierre introducing Pam

Our guide holding fast to Yadin

Can't get enough of those patterns

Pam sharing a photo with father and daughter

Oh, those patterns

Standing by the columns at Mitla

View of plaza from Abuela Restaurant in Oaxaca City

Monday, February 4, 2013

Finally found the lost photos!

I was greatly saddened when I couldn't find the photos I had taken during the welcoming fiesta at the Mendoza compound. But last night it suddenly occurred to me that when my cameral was flashing "Battery Dead" I decided to ask Jacobo's daughter Sylvia if she could capture the images on my flash card. She did successfully and I was then able to transfer them to one of my trusty little memory sticks. So over the next few days I'll try to place some of them on my posts.

While our group was at Mitla I couldn't resist capturing a few shots of our self appointed guide who was totally smitten with Yadin. He simply couldn't let go of her. Yadin did a wonderful job of translating many of his comments much to the delight of all of us. She was gracious and totally unperturbed as he held fast to her arm whenever possible.

The scenes at Mitla are some of my very favorites of all the places we have visited. The rock patterns adorning the old buildings are the essence of today's contemporary tapestries and rugs.   It makes you feel the connection like a long time line that reaches from then to now. Definitely one of my favorite places.

Today I began my four weeks of Spanish classes. Fun to be back at the Institute and amazingly walked into my class to find my teacher from last year, Ita. What a delight. I felt right at home. It's growing late so I'll post a few pictures and continue tomorrow.   Muchas abrazos,  Jackie