Sunday, May 15, 2011

Amate Books, Oaxaca

Musing from the February 2011 Chiripa buying trip to Mexico.

Still rather impatiently awaiting the truck from Mexico. Most future posts will relate to products once we have them, but, for now I'll reminisce a little more about the February trip.

A regular stop in Oaxaca is Amate Books. It's an English language bookstore that can entertain for long periods of time. I browse the selves and tables to see what is new and what is popular. I frantically jot down titles and authors and publishers hoping to be able to find these for Chiripa once I return home. I especially like scanning the children's books. Outside the shop is a bench. These photos were taken while resting after a long day of shopping.

The border around the door is composed entirely of dried marigolds (the flower of the Day of the Dead). To the right of the door stands a larger-than-life skeleton Catrina made of straw-wrapped wire. We have seen this style of art in the state of Michoacan and wonder if the piece is from that area. To the left of the door is a fine piece of sculpture (enlarged in the second photo). It is of the style found in the nearby village of Atzompa although we never find anything so fine.
As I look up I see a large tin chandelier with what was probably originally candle holders. It pays to rest in Mexico. Besides people watching there are always interesting details to engage the imagination.

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