It´s been a few days since I´ve been able to get to a computer. But now our hotel Casa del Sotano has one for use in their lobby.
We had some missteps around Puebla, but managed to take a trip to Izucar de Matamoros to visit the workshop of Saul Montesimos Gonzalez. His fanciful figures and candleholders and skeletons are colorfully painted with the most intricate of details. They will be a new addition to the shop.
An easy busride to Oaxaca put us back in familiar territory and we spent the day today in Teotitlan del Valle. Eric Chavez and his father Federico did a weaving and dying demonstration at the shop in October. It´s fun to be greated like family. We also spent time with Bulmaro Perez who will help us with the shipping from Oaxaca to Guadalajara. Somehow the day turned to night and it´s time to say goodnight.
We are enjoying perfect weather and have a hard time thinking of coming home to snow and ice.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Eclipse over Patzcuaro
Another perfect day in Patzcuaro. The lunar eclipse is happening right now. We have stayed an extra day because Dirceu escorted us to artist homes for two days. I am on a computer that does not seem to want to upload any photos, so, you will have to wait for those until we return.
One of the most amazing visits was about two and a half hours into the mountains. We visited with Zenaida Rafael Julian, the creator of fantastic clay figures. She lives in Ocumicho, Michoacan, Mexico (see if you can find it). Her figures win competition in major cities in this area. Chiripa customers will see some new things after this trip!
Tomorrow we head off on an early bus to Morelia to Mexico City and on to Puebla for the next phase of this adventure.
We read of snow and ice and cold and feel slightly guilty as we enjoy the beautiful weather in Mexico.
One of the most amazing visits was about two and a half hours into the mountains. We visited with Zenaida Rafael Julian, the creator of fantastic clay figures. She lives in Ocumicho, Michoacan, Mexico (see if you can find it). Her figures win competition in major cities in this area. Chiripa customers will see some new things after this trip!
Tomorrow we head off on an early bus to Morelia to Mexico City and on to Puebla for the next phase of this adventure.
We read of snow and ice and cold and feel slightly guilty as we enjoy the beautiful weather in Mexico.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Patzcuaro, Michoacan Post
Hard to find time to blog between traveling and shopping. Photos and logdging and restaurant recommendations will come at a later (post trip) post. I will be lucky to get time to follow the trip with text.
We flew in to Guadalajara on Thursday 2/14 and went right to ENART. Traffic seemed light and vendors inquired about the economy in the US.
Friday we took a side trip to the furniture expo to visit with Lulu and Alfredo (Copper & Wood) and order copper mirrors and furniture. Across from ENART we visited our glass producers and watched them in action. Hot! Then, another adventure tracking down D^Casa, the stoneware compay whose products Chiripa carried when we opened. Success! A very busy day.
Saturday morning we hopped the bus to Morelia and then on to Patzcuaro, one of our favoite Mexican cities. It has a wonderfully unspoiled zocolo (town square). Warm days, cool nights--we are not in Wisconsin anymore!
Sunday 2/17 we had our first CHIRIPA (happy accident). As Beth walked out of the hotel to call Dirceau, he walked by on the street. It was a happy reunion. Dirceau works with Barro Sin Plomo/Eschery Pottery. We spent the morning touring the new headquarters and planning our trips to visit area artists.
Then off to Santa Clara del Cobre to shop for copper. Sunday is market day in Santa Clara, and besides copper we walked through streets filled with food, flowers, clothes, and everything you can imagine.
Sunday is also a busy day and night at the zocolo in Patzcuaro and I think I will take a stroll.
We flew in to Guadalajara on Thursday 2/14 and went right to ENART. Traffic seemed light and vendors inquired about the economy in the US.
Friday we took a side trip to the furniture expo to visit with Lulu and Alfredo (Copper & Wood) and order copper mirrors and furniture. Across from ENART we visited our glass producers and watched them in action. Hot! Then, another adventure tracking down D^Casa, the stoneware compay whose products Chiripa carried when we opened. Success! A very busy day.
Saturday morning we hopped the bus to Morelia and then on to Patzcuaro, one of our favoite Mexican cities. It has a wonderfully unspoiled zocolo (town square). Warm days, cool nights--we are not in Wisconsin anymore!
Sunday 2/17 we had our first CHIRIPA (happy accident). As Beth walked out of the hotel to call Dirceau, he walked by on the street. It was a happy reunion. Dirceau works with Barro Sin Plomo/Eschery Pottery. We spent the morning touring the new headquarters and planning our trips to visit area artists.
Then off to Santa Clara del Cobre to shop for copper. Sunday is market day in Santa Clara, and besides copper we walked through streets filled with food, flowers, clothes, and everything you can imagine.
Sunday is also a busy day and night at the zocolo in Patzcuaro and I think I will take a stroll.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Leaving The Snow Behind
A record amount of snow has fallen in Madison, WI this year (almost 80"). It's hard to leave it (and the shoveling) behind. But, we're off to O'Hare tonight on the 2:20 a.m. Van Galder bus.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Rough Plans
The details are coming together. The trip will start on February 14 in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco (near Guadalajara) at ENART a show of handcrafted items from throughout Mexico. From there we travel to Patzcuaro in Michoacan to see old friends and make some new ones. We'll stop at the new headquarters of Barro Sin Plomo and we'll head up the road to Santa Clara del Cobre to check out new copper and furniture. After visiting neighboring villages like Capula and Tzintzuntzan (my favorite Mexican city name), we'll head over to Puebla for some uncharted adventures.
Oaxaca will be our final destination with visits to some of these surrounding villages: Teotitlan del Valle for rugs, Arrazola for alebrijes, San Martin Tilcajete for more painted animals, Santo Thomas Jalieza for cotton weavings, San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery, and Ocotlan de Morelos and Atzompa for clay figures. We'll see how many we can visit before we return on February 29.
Photos and details will be added as the trip progresses, but, we travel by bus and don't stay at "connected" hotels. I'll post when I can get to a friendly internet shop or cafe.
Oaxaca will be our final destination with visits to some of these surrounding villages: Teotitlan del Valle for rugs, Arrazola for alebrijes, San Martin Tilcajete for more painted animals, Santo Thomas Jalieza for cotton weavings, San Bartolo Coyotepec for black pottery, and Ocotlan de Morelos and Atzompa for clay figures. We'll see how many we can visit before we return on February 29.
Photos and details will be added as the trip progresses, but, we travel by bus and don't stay at "connected" hotels. I'll post when I can get to a friendly internet shop or cafe.
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