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oaxaca: Bang the Drum Slowly: Mexican Wedding Procession - 02/01/12 11:02 AM
My wife and I are back home, in Bellingham, after our annual jaunt down to Oaxaca, Mexico. Secret: We missed the big winter snow and wind storm that took place here in Whatcom county. Oaxaca is near Guatemala, so almost to Central America. We love it in the city and we have made some fine friends among the Mexican people since we have been going there for four years now.
We enjoy the color, the sounds and the lively atmosphere. The environment is anything but bland. The public square or zocalo is full of poinsettias in bloom, people in bright clothes, … (5 comments)
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oaxaca: Cooling My Heels - 05/29/11 11:31 AM
Today, here in Whatcom County, it looks like we are having, so far, what passes as a nice day. I think that, over the past two years, we have had so much wet and dreary weather that we are having lower expectations. We are not out for high temperatures -- just hold off on the rain.
I was out on an inspection the other day, seemed like a nice day in my jaundiced view. I took an outdoor temperature and it was 57 degrees. It saved me from having to test an AC unit but it let me know that my … (2 comments)
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oaxaca: Casa De Juarez - 05/13/11 04:08 PM
The last time my wife and I went to Oaxaca, we were looking for something to do one afternoon and we went to the historical site known as Casa Juarez. Benito Juarez was the first non-military person, and the first iindigenous person, to be elected the President of Mexico. Juarez served a total of five terms from 1858 to 1872.
Juarez was born in the mountains outside Oaxaca. Juarez's sister worked in the city of Oaxaca, so Benito moved into the city. There he became a domestic servant for, and lived with the Maza family. At that residence, it was discovered that Juarez … (2 comments)
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oaxaca: January Never Looked Better - 05/07/11 03:07 PM
We are having another wonderful May in Whatcom County. It seems like it rains every day. When I went out this morning for breakfast, on a long awaited day off, it was raining cats and dogs. I do not know if my wife will ever find a window of opportunity in which to put in her garden.
Frankly, January was a better month for me. Well, probably it was not better here, but it sure was down in Oaxaca, Mexico when we spent our traditional two weeks there. There was great uptempo music, sunshine, warm, bustling markets and the flowers. Oaxaca has … (5 comments)
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oaxaca: Masa In Oaxaca - 02/20/11 01:47 PM
When we visit Oaxaca, one of the fun things to do -- and this is true in Italy as well -- it to visit the outdoor markets. There is such an abundance of everything, from housewares to food, that exploring the vibrant setting is very invigorating.
Below is a lady selling "masa." Now lots of people do not know what masa is -- Masa is finely ground nixtamal (corn treated with either slaked lime or lye, in a process called nixtamalization). It is not to be confused with cornstarch or cornmeal. Corn masa is used to make corn tortillas and tamales. Like cornstarch, it can be used to thicken sauces.
The … (4 comments)
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oaxaca: Dreaming of Warm - 02/11/11 07:00 PM
So much of the country is cold that my recent posts with photos of Oaxaca, Mexico, taken less than a month ago, are being well-received here in the rain. In Italy, and Mexico, the town square is a big deal.
In Italy they call it the piazza. In Mexico it is the zocalo. Same thing. Townspeople are loyal to the square and, most nights, they all go out on the town or at least walk around. Even though it was winter in Oaxaca, the weather was warm and the zocalo was full of vitality. Oh, and plants too.
… (6 comments)
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oaxaca: Oaxaca Cooking Classes - 01/30/11 02:26 PM
This class is just so much fun. One of the proprietors of the B&B where we stay "La Casa De Mis Recuerdos (House of My Memories) is also one of the top cooks in the city of Oaxaca.
Nora Valencia teaches cooking classes weekly. She teaches some of the great recipes of the region, including moles (a type of sauce, not the little digging critters), that were passed down to her by her grandmother and her mother. Nora speaks wonderful English and is fun and a delight. Whether you stay at one of her lodging establishments or not, cooking classes … (5 comments)
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oaxaca: Oaxaca Weavings On Display - 01/26/11 10:52 AM
In yesterday's post, I wrote about a lady who is considered to be one of the top weavers in Oaxaca, an area known for artisans. Actually, her shop is in Teotitlan, a small village just outside Oaxaca. This village is noted for having a population of world class weavers and fabric artists. They raise the animals for the wool, shear the animals, card, spin and dye the fibers. You can see yesterday's post here.
In the comments yesterday, it was requested that I display photos of some of this artists work. I was blasting away, so I did not get the greatest of photos, but these will have … (11 comments)
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oaxaca: Oaxaca, My Side of Town - 01/24/11 08:46 PM
This was the third time that my wife and I have visited Oaxaca. We really like the color, the flavor and the people in this part of Mexico. The heat is a real plus too. It is down, almost to Central America. Since we stay there for more than a week at a time, we tend to find places we like to hangout. I like the zocalo, the town square. But there is another part of town, not far from our B&B that has great restaurants and pleasant coffee shops. The photo below is from my favorite part of town, which is … (8 comments)
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oaxaca: The Dining Tourist - 01/23/11 05:31 PM
We got back from our latest Mexico trip last night. It was a great time.
I think that many of us who travel look forward to going out to lunch or dinner in a foreign land. It is an adventure every day and, if you are around an area long enough, you find favorite spots.
Oaxaca does not specialize in what many think of as typical Mexican food. You know, tacos, burritos, enchiladas. You can get those items but Oaxaca is better known for moles which are sauces. They range from spicy sauces. made with chiles, to one that is made of … (13 comments)
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oaxaca: This Ain't The Canada I Know - 01/22/11 09:54 PM
In the state of Oaxaca, the area around Huatulco, is heavily populated by my neighbors from the north -- Canadians. Their influence is great. You will see signs of the influence from Canada in many locations. Flights from almost all parts of Canada will fly straight to Huatulco. I think that, next year, my wife and I will fly from Vancouver BC, near us, to this destination and, from there, we would go on up to the city of Oaxaca for a week. It will be an easier excursion that way.
In the final week, we always stay in Huatulco at … (11 comments)
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oaxaca: Pancho and Nutsy - 01/11/11 09:28 AM
Yesterday my wife and I visited the house of Benito Juarez, the first non-military man and indigenous person to serve as President of Mexico -- late 1800's. He was from Oaxaca, where we are staying.
In the course of that excursion, boy, did my eyes pop. I had, previously, seen this old tin type photo that my assistant Nutsy Wallenda is very proud of. Frankly, I thought it might be a photoshop by some member of his family.
But imagine my shock when yesterday, in a historical museum in Mexico, I saw this same photo. This is circa 1913 when Villa was still a popular … (12 comments)
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oaxaca: Carrot on a Stick - 11/23/10 04:48 PM
When I owned a radio broadcasting station, more than a decade ago, I had an employee in the sales department who used to talk about "dangling a carrot on a stick" in front of advertisers.
I guess that I do not have to explain that she was referring to incentives to get them to buy time. After the post I did earlier, about the crummy and cold weather here, I decided to give myself a carrot on a stick.
This is a photo from Oaxaca, Mexico taken in mid-January. My carrot on the stick is that we are going back there … (7 comments)
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oaxaca: Oaxaca, Mexico -- Pretty Inviting - 05/07/10 11:33 PM
After a rather hectic week and a week where I have been visiting my wife in the hospital -- she gets to come home tomorrow -- my mind drifts to vacation. I think that, like the past two years, we will be going to the Oaxaca area of Mexico again right after Christmas.
The photo below gives an idea of the beauty of the area. I was, one day, walking down a street near our B&B and I peaked in the doorway of a building. I thought that the scene inside was very pretty and captures the feel of the city.
… (9 comments)
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oaxaca: My Last Date With Frida - 04/04/10 01:12 PM
I think everyone has heard of the late Frida Kahlo, probably the most famous of all of the Mexican painters. There was even a recent movie based on her life and the star was Selma Hayek. Below is a portrait of a young Frida Kahlo -- the real one, not Selma.
In January, a year back, when we were in the public market in Ocotlan, we first saw Frida at her market stand (La Cocina de Frida) in the large public market. The proprietor of Frida's has an amazing resemblance to Frida Kahlo. On our second trip back to Oaxaca, I found Frida … (0 comments)
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oaxaca: Old-Fashioned Progress - 02/07/10 01:46 PM
During my recent visit to Oaxaca, Mexico, it was impossible not to notice the major work going on to improve the infrastructure. The initial impression was that they were improving the roads and sidewalks because all of the streets were torn up.
In fact, they had to tear the streets and sidewalks up to make it possible to get to and replace the old sewer lines. And, in so doing, they were also upgrading water lines into some of the buildings that were located by the streets and sidewalks.
The most obvious difference to construction methods as seen in the USA, was … (5 comments)
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oaxaca: Wordless Wednesday - 05/06/09 10:51 AM
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oaxaca: Oaxaca Bed and Breakfast -- La Casa de Mis Recuerdos - 01/27/09 04:19 PM
I have only positive things to say about my recent vacation in Oaxaca, Mexico. We stayed healthy and good-natured, loved the food, and we found the people to be friendly and honest. A couple times I paid too many pesos to a vendor and was quickly corrected and given the right change. Wow! I never would have known the difference had they not done that. Once I forgot my credit card at a cafe and the fellow chased me down the street to return it.
My wife and I often go to Italy -- she really likes Italy. Mexico, however, is … (11 comments)
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oaxaca: Speechless Sundays - 01/25/09 04:42 PM
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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oaxaca: Back Home Again -- Sigh! - 01/24/09 05:05 PM
We got back into the USA last night, got home today. As is always the case, even after a short trip, there is catching up to do. Got inspections on the book, sad to see that a few died like produce in the store (If you are not here to do them, they go to another). Year end taxes due the end of the month. Work Work Work. We had a wonderful time in Oaxaca. I will post photos and also a kind of travelogue describing some of our best experiences. My wife and I have traveled many parts of the … (44 comments)
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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector
Bellingham,
WA
More about me…
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225
Office Phone: (360) 676-6908
Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038
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