Alfonso Galan

Alfonso en la Alameda Central el ano pasado. A friend from Mexico City.

Flagstaff in January

Snowbowl ski area in Flagstaff last January.

Tijuana, "Low Calorie Los Angeles"

Tijuana is the low calorie version of Los Angeles

Santa en la Plaza Central, Guadalajara

Peregrinos (Pilgrims), Basilica de Guadalupe, December 12th, Mexico City

The current, modern style basilica is to the left in the photo and its predecessors in the back middle and right. Atop the hill in the distant background is another chapel.

Peregrinos en la esplanada de la Basilica de Guadalupe, 12 de Diciembre, Mexico D.F.

During the festival of Guadalupe the esplanade is jammed with people moving around, camping out and dancing. Many independent groups of dancers perform at the same time in their respective costumes.

Peregrinos en la esplanada de Basilica de Guadalupe, Mexico D.F.

Vast numbers of pilgrims come to the basilica to celebrate the appearance of the Virgen on December 12. Literally on foot and on bicycle from locations far from Mexico City. Many of them bring blankets and sleeping materials to camp out on the plaza during their stay.

Virgencita de Guadalupe, Basilica in background

La Basilica de Guadalupe, December 12 festival of the Virgen. Mexico City

This is the maximum religious site in Mexico. This building contains the painting of Guadalupe that appears on Don Diego's back at this spot, Tepeyac Hill. The event occurs on December 12 and thus it's the date of the annual festival and celebration of the Virgen of Guadalupe. The building is modern, it's predecessors are located near by. The entire complex is referred to by a mexican friend of mine as the "Little Vatican."

Cool Sunset above Oaxaca (Vista Hermosa, San Agustin Etla)

Afternoon sun on adobe house in Vista Hermosa, San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca

After sunset in Vista Hermosa, San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca

Thicket in Vista Hermosa, San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca

Sunset over San Felipe sierra in Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Looking east towards Tlacolula across the valley of Oaxaca.

View of north Oaxaca city looking east to Tlacolula from atop El Cerro del Fortin.

Quilt of Metal Trash in Colonia Estrella, Oaxaca, Oaxaca

When I took a photography class decades ago at San Francisco State University there was a fellow who shot images of a yard and house in utter disorder, junkyard style. Those pictures fascinated me. Mexico is saturated with refuse put to work in some cases, like here, and just deteriorating in many others. Garbage isn't processed as well in Mexico as the first world. I've seen this fence and gate numerous times on walks and jogs up and down El Cerro del Fortin, the trademark hill above downtown Oaxaca that is also the site of the Gueleguetza Arena, where an annual pageant convenes indigenous groups from throughout the state for dancing and showing off their typical folk fashions and handicrafts.

Cafe at Arles? Could be but this is Cafe Terra Nova in Oaxaca Zocalo.

This setting on the Zocalo in Oaxaca reminded me of Vincent Van Gogh's beautiful night painting, "Cafe at Arles." Most historical Mexican cities and towns have a central plaza which is the center of social life. Most american cities don't have anything like it. This particular cafe, "Terra Nova," has a bit of modern myth about it. It is rumored to be owned by the mistress of the controversial governor of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz. The mini revolution in Oaxaca a couple of years ago dominated by APPO was initially about teachers salaries and morphed into an effort to unseat him. I think that's how it's interpreted.

Retrato Familiar: Marido, Mujer y Escuincle. Family Portrait, Husband, Wife and child

Outside of Abastos Market, Oaxaca, Oaxaca.

Seccion de Jarros y Tazones, Mercado Abastos, Oaxaca. Jugs and bowls.

Inexpensive ceramic products at Abastos Market.

Interior of Abastos Market, Oaxaca. Escenas del interior del Mercado Abastos

 

Normally live animals are sold outside on Saturdays. Maybe small fowl is an exception.

Sunlight passes through fabric and plastics of various colors creating a festive, ornamental atmosphere.  The seated women are selling tlayudas, big flat tortillas. A Oaxacan staple.