Feather Art in Patzcuaro!

The other day, I was poking my head into Ex Convento Jesuita De Patzcuaro (one block east of Plaza Grande) , if you love masks as much as I do, they have an outstanding mask exhibit on permanent display.

I also noticed some new exhibits. Ceramics in the courtyard, a variety of bas-relief paintings but most striking of all is a display of feather mosaics, "paintings" that use hummingbird feathers instead of paint to create an image.

This picture is made from FEATHERS!

I first heard about this art form when I was talking to Babs about Tlalpujahua. Apparently there is a very talented artist there that works in this medium. The form dates back to 500 BC!


But I wonder, where they get their feathers, are there some naked birds walking around somewhere????

Sadly I am guessing the answer to that question is not as charming as the pictures are.

Details in the feather mosaic.

Janitzio Boat Trip

The Iconic Janitzio Island

We have had our friend, Sharlene visiting with us for a short time. While playing tour guide I have had a chance to take lots of picture I can share with you over the next week or so.


Sharlene also has a blog of her trip.
Shar's Excellent Adventure


So for this excursion we are off to the Island of Janitzio.

To get to the island you need to hop on a boat down at the docks (40 pesos return) and off you go. Usually on this boat you will have vendors selling treats to the tourist and some live music to serenade you.

Yummmm, Pulgar Sabor

On the ride over, the young lady seated next to me found me very interesting. Perhaps I was the first gringo she saw, but I seemed to be endlessly fascinating to her. Sadly I have come to a point in my life where it's noteworthy when young ladies pay any attention to me. When did that happen?

As you approach the island there is a small display put on to demonstrate the traditional fishing with the butterfly nets. Sadly I was on the wrong side of the boat to get any good pictures of that, but they did come around to our side to collect tips though.

Propina?

Now, Janitzio is neither the most cultural nor the most representative of destinations in the area. It is more of a cheesie/Kitschie sort of stop. Hand made ceramics on the shelf next to the booby mugs.

Going Up!

Now you get to put all that time on the StairMaster to good use. There is a steep trek up to the top of the island to where the Statue of José Morelos stands tall. You can climb the interior of the monument to get a rather striking view of the area. Also, if it is the weekend you get a chance to watch the tradition "dance of the little old men"

"Him, a Mayan prince, her a slave girl. He could own her, but never have her!"

Hand stitched embroideries next to soft core art work that looks like it should be on the cover of a Mexican version of Harlequin Romance. That said, I never seem to make it into the little museum there, so shame on me.

We made it to the top!

After making it to the top and back, we return to the dock for the boat ride home. Now this was clearly the party boat we ended up on this time. 4 piece band going full blast, and within 5 minutes the entire boat was dancing and before we knew it we were pulled into a conga line!

Party Boat!
click on this picture for more detail!

The group that got the party going on the boat, ended up hiring the band to go with them when they hit the dock.

Next stop the Yacatas!

At the Mercado and a trip to FLICKR

Wow, another year over!

Last year one of my goals was to post to the blog more often.
So, let's check the numbers.

2007 - 12 posts~ ouch!
2008 - 40 posts~ yippee!

So I think I did well there, so this year I aim to have 52 posts up by the end of the year. 12 more than last year. I think that is doable.

I will also be trying to focus on my photography. I finally got around to setting up a FLICKR account. So, if you are so inclined, check it out and feel free to leave comments on the pictures. Your feedback will help me improve.

Also check out the FLICKR widget I have added on the right. Only have about a dozen pictures there right now but will be adding on a regular basis.

Allow me to leave you with a picture.

Saturday Morning, at the Mercado

Basketball Anyone?

Rainy season is over, the next rain will be in June. Many fields that were green are now brown. It's fun to take an afternoon and explore an area by the lake that I haven't had a chance to yet. Dirt roads abound in the little villages around the lake. It is on these roads you find the oddest things.

Basketball Anyone?...... Anyone......
(Click the picture for a better view)

Whilst on one such drive, toodling down a dirt road between a village and the lake, between farmers fields and and assorted livestock I come across an unusual sight. In the middle of no-where I find a basketball court. Now, once in a while you come across a ghost town somewhere. A little more often you come across an abandoned Pemex station, usually abandoned so that they could build a new one across the street. But this is the first time I have come across a basketball court.

Now when we moved down to Mexico, I expected to find soccer fields everywhere, but not basketball, but every school has at least one, and we have even seen a monastery or two with basketball courts.
I guess they take up a lot less space, and you do not have to cut the grass, water and fertilize them.

The Bulls vs......??

I grabbed a quick picture then and there, it gives you an idea of what the setting was like. On my way back home, later that day, I drove past the court again, and grabbed a much moodier picture as dusk was approaching.

If you look carefully you can see that the Bulls have played on that court, and I don't mean the NBA team.