A post from the log that JM kept on the August 09 buying trip to Mexico for Chiripa. -kl
After a welcome jolt of black coffee and a good breakfast (it was nearly noon), we caught a taxi to visit our friend Felix. Felix makes many of the cleverly worked tin stars, mirrors and other items that you see at Chiripa. He does this in his family’s modest home, in the rural Rancho Cienaga, several miles outside of San Miguel. Unfortunately, Felix has been without a telephone lately (telephones cost money), so we had the taxi take us unannounced to his residence.
Felix was there, and as happy to see us as we were to see him. We talked over our order (using our imperfect Spanish) and paid him in advance. We have always trusted our artisan friends to deliver, and they have not failed us once. Chiripa (“a stroke of luck”) has been lucky for them, and we hope for you too!
When we got back to town, we started our hunt in the San Miguel artisan market, where indigenous people (like our friends the Leyva family) offer a variety of interesting craft items.
These sellers do not pack for export, however, so we had to do that ourselves. The evening and part of the next day were occupied with cardboard boxes, tiny “Made in Mexico” stickers, bubble wrap (“burbuja”), packing tape and magic markers. Let’s hope it all gets to Wisconsin in one piece! -JM August 10, 2009
Note: It DID!
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