New Photos in my IMAGEKIND gallery: NaturesBounty

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I have up- loaded some new photos to my Imagekind gallery. NaturesBounty.

Copy & paste this link and take a look—

http://billdelaluz.imagekind.com

From Bill's Imagekind gallery..NaturesBounty

Pink Crown of Thorns

Misty Rain

These and other new additions may be found at Imagekind

SEE YOU THERE ! —– Bill Pandolf

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LA MOJIGANGA~~~THE MASQUERADE

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LA MOJIGANGA, OR THE MASQUERADE,

A type of street theater / parade dating back to the 17TH century Spain.

In Tlacotalpan today, ” La Mojiganga ” is primarily a street parade performed by children of all ages. The procession gathers in The Zocalo ( the town square ) and proceeds up and down every street in town, led by a brass band.

Some of the children wear homemade costumes, but most carry hand made placards or posters, depicting animals, birds, fish, or other elements that are reflective of their lives in this area, The Papaloapan River Delta.

The artistic values and imagination presented in these costumes and placards are delightful and sometimes stunning !!

The primitiveness and naiveté that the children, with some help, impart into these imaginative displays represent a window into the creativity and resourcefulness of these young people and their families.

With very little resources, found objects, and scarce art supplies…they turn what is in the minds eye into a visual delight.

” La Mojiganga ” is performed on several holidays through the year. Here are a few photos I have taken over the year of ……

” LA MOJIGANGA ” in TLACOTALPAN, VERACRUZ.

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Casa De La Luz-My Home In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico

Today I am sharing a few pictures of the inside of my home, Casa De La Luz / Casa De Huespedes, in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico. Color-Color-Color ! Thats me !

Living room area

Living Room Area

Living Room Area

Living Room Area

TV and Computer Area

Items From Oaxaca-and Chi-Chi

Dining Area

Dining Area

Kitchen

Kitchen Area

Screened Patio Off The Kitchen-Looking Out On The Garden

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Billdelaluz-Photography / Colors of Mexico

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These intensive colors are just a few clicks away by using PICASA,-and only a couple blinks-of-the-eye away from the reality that is Tlacotalpan, Veracruz.

I have posted the original images on WEBSHOTS & FLICKER. Just click on the icons to the right of this page…and off you go!

Enjoy, Thanks…Billdelaluz

CASA DE LA LUZ >< ECO TOURS ~ CASA DE HUESPEDES

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CASA DE LA LUZ – TROPICAL GUEST HOUSE – CASA DE HUESPEDES : Our tours at at a glance:

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The  “SOTAVENTO” :  That  area of the Papaloapan River, and other rivers and their tributaries, covers an area of over 47,000 square miles.

Flowing down to the east from the volcanic highlands of the Mexican Plateau, originating from cold water springs, …on to  the MIGUEL ALEMAN DAM, in the state of OAXACA, constructed to prevent disastrous flooding and to generate power, the river meanders down to the GULF of MEXICO; creating an ecosystem that is one of the largest and most bio-diverse in North America.

With TLACOTALPAN situated on the banks of the Papaloapan River, we at the CASA are in a unique position to offer easy, close access to this abundant and diverse natural habitat.

With its MANGROVE SWAMPS, LAKES, and connecting, SHALLOW WATERWAYS, this is a nature lovers paradise. All located within  10 minutes of  TLACOTALPAN and the CASA.

Whether you chose a walking or boating tour of birdwatching, or a tour by horseback and /or  boating  through the mangroves,  there is gurentered to be a rewarding, visual experience for the whole family.

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For the passionate birder, there is a knowledgeable guide, DAVID McCAULEY, who makes his home here in TLACOTALPAN. He can arrange walking and/or boating excursions for the enthusiast or armature alike. And his packaged tours of the FALL HAWK MIGRATION are unparalleled.

Here at the CASA, we can put you in touch with DAVID for birding tours, and with other knowledgeable guides who live in the area, for tours on horseback, and by boat through the MANGROVES and LAKES. If you wish to contact David McCuley direct, GOOGLE “birdingveracruz” and you will be directed to his website and contact information.

These excursions can last from 2 to 4 hours. The horses are genial and the boat rides are smooth—without the noise of a motor that would otherwise scare the birds and animals.

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Here are some pictures taken by a guest at Casa De La Luz…MARNI…from Northern California. She and I also took a boat ride on the Papaloapan River one afternoon and came upon a rancher moving his herd of cattle ( swimming ) across the river. There are pictures of this event in an earlier post on this blog.

MARNIES’ guides’ name is MARTIN. He understands English, having worked in the states for a few years, but, alas, refuses to speak it ! But he and his 4 brothers and 2 sisters grew up on a RANCHO next to this wonderful ecosystem and he knows almost everything about its’ plants & animals and its’ secretes.

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Getting ready for the ride

ECO TOURS

Not so wild

THE THREE LARGEST CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF TLACOTALPAN

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The Church of Saint Michael Archangel ….

” La Iglesia De San Miguel Arcangel “

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This church known locally as.. Little Saint Michael… SAN MIGUELITO…is the oldest church in Tlacotalpan.

The construction began in 1785, on top of the remains of another church destroyed by fire. It’s primary services were to the Indigenous community.

The building , as it stands today, inaugurated in 1800, is a unique example of Tlacotalpan architecture, combining a neoclassical style with a wooden ceiling and a mud tiled roof.

There are also two towers, the highest housing a clock, placed there in 1800, and the smaller one containing a belfry, topped by a semicircular dome.

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Mis Gatos in Casa De La Luz /\/\/\ Tlacotalpan, Mexico

Miss “CHI-CHI” … 9 years old, and Sr. “CHAVO” … 7 years old, rode across Mexico from Oaxaca with me, in the back seat of the moving van, some five and a half years ago.

With all the toads/frogs, creepy-crawly bugs and birds everywhere they looked, ( the savannas start just a block and a half away from the casa),  they adapted to this new…HOT & HUMID climate (after cool Oaxaca) right away. Not like me…it took about a year.  I will admit that at first I thought I had made a big mistake. Arriving on July 4TH, the temps were in the high 90°s and the humidity was around 80%. Now it seems like I have always lived here.  And no fungus between my toes !!——yet.

CHI-CHI has had many suitors, but being spayed, will have nothing to do with them and sends them on their way whenever they dare to enter her territory. After all these years, she still only tolerates CHAVO being around !

As for CHAVO, being neutered, he gets out there and has his go at fighting with the interlopers, and holds his own, tho I am sure he doesn’t quite know why!!

Chavo loves one and all, as long as they have time to stop and say hello and give him a good rub. As for CHI-CHI, she would just as soon no one come close and will keep her distance, no matter who it is…even me most of the time.  So independent.

I am sure I have too many pictures of these guys, but if you are a cat person, you understand. Here are a few I am sharing today.

I forgot to mention, they do get bent out of shape when guests are traveling with their dogs..which are always welcome…but they have the jungle garden, and a few high places to perch if need be. And those dogs never stay for more than a few days. Well, except for ANDREW…he was here a couple months. They got used to each other ! I think !!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, and please share your thoughts.  ADIOS, Bill

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Los Viejos–The Old Men Tlacotalpan, Veracruz

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Today I wanted to share with you some pictures taken in December, 2006, and 2007

These figures are called “Los Viejos” or, in English, The Old Men. They represent the end of the old year. They appear in yards, and in front of houses in the afternoon of December 31 every year. Constructed from old cloths, stuffed with straw, confetti, and FIRE CRACKERS.

At midnight, on the last day of the year, they are put in the center of the street and set afire. Symbolizing the end of the old and the start of the new year. After which, the families sit down to a big meal–with relatives, and neighbors.1

The popping firecrackers set off the confetti, which goes flying through the air and rolling, burning, down the streets. Everyone is laughing, having a drink, and the kids chase the fireworks.

A lot of gunpowder and smoke, so you try to stay up-wind if at all possible !

After this great display and family dinner, at 1AM, everyone goes to the Zocalo (town center ) and watches a fireworks display, just like the 4TH of July in the states. All in all, a wonderful get together for friends and family, In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico. Enjoy……………………..

billdelaluz

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More Orchids-Casa De La Luz / Tropical Garden

I have pulled together a few more pictures of orchids in the garden. they don´t all bloom at the same time, so these photos are from over a several month period. These are all(but one) native orchids to the Tuxtla Mountains, in the state of Veracruz. The Tuxtlas are located about 50 miles south of Tlacotalpan. They are a series of extinct volcanoes. It rains there almost every day, all year. An amazingly lush environment. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Bill

Boat Ride ON “EL RIO PAPALOAPAN”

Tuesday afternoon, Marni and I took a boat tour on the Papaloapan River. Tlacotalpan sits on the banks of this large river,as it meanders on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, at Alvardo, Veracruz. This river, in the old days, before the railroads came to Mexico, was a major deep water port for large sea-going vessels. They would come up the river to Tlacotalpan and load their cargo of sugar cane, cotton and cocoa, that was exported to Europe, The Caribbean and The United States.

On this sort of grey day we chanced upon a rancher herding his cattle across the river. Our guide ,Andres, was kind enough to maneuver our boat closer for a few pictures. Here are a couple.