HOTEL CASA DE LA LUZ-TLACOTALPAN, VERACRUZ

Hotel Casa De La Luz--Tlacotalpan, Veracruz

The Tropical/Jungle Garden at Casa De La Luz

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Hotel Casa De La Luz in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz is a charming “GUEST HOUSE” with an apartment, and 2 rooms to rent by the day, week, or month.

Hotel Casa De La Luz is filled with original paintings, photographs, wonderful pottery and a vibrant representation of the ARTESANIA ( folk arts and crafts ) of Mexico.

The brilliant paint colors used in Hotel Casa De La Luz are a rich visual complement to the lush tropical garden. In this garden there are always a wide verity of plants and orchids in bloom year round.

Here is the web site link:   http://www.casadelaluz-mexico.com

Also you may click on these link dates on the right side of the page to read in more detail about Hotel Casa De La Luz, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of TLACOTALPAN, VERACRUZ MEXICO.

Thank you for taking the time to read more about Casa De La Luz, and Tlacotalpan, Veracruz.

Click on the below listed link dates at the right of this page to read in more detail about Hotel Casa De La Luz and Tlacotalpan.

CLICK ON :  April 2009–January 2009–July, August, and September 2008.

” Stormy Sunrise ” from Imagekind

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A new up-load to my “NaturesBounty ” Imagekind gallery.

http://billdelaluz.imagekind.com

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Villa Del Angel-Acapulco, Mexico

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Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco is 40 minutes from Acapulco, north on the highway to Zihuatanajo. Nestled right on the beach with about 50 ft. of sparkling, clean sand between its spacious palapa-covered patio and the thundering surf of the Pacific Ocean , it truly affords a peaceful getaway from a hectic urban life.

Villa Del Angel is located between the two small towns of Pie de la Questa and Barra de Coycua. And one and a half hours by taxi from the Acapulco airport. ( $40-$60 USD)

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Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Walking on the beach, you may encounter someone on horseback, or occasionally one or two couples …no one else. You truly have the beach to yourself.

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Villa Del Angle-Acapulco

Villa De Angel-Acapulco

There are two guest rooms, one with two double beds, and the other with a king size bed. Both have air conditioning, floor fans, satellite TV and private bathrooms. There is also a full kitchen and living room for the guests to use.

AND, if this isn’t enough…the Casa comes with a full time cook. Her name is ALMA.  She lives in a cassita in the front of the house with her husband Gerrado, and their daughter Paulina. Alma will accompany you on a short taxi ride to the local super market in the nearby town, where you will find anything you want/need. They also have beer, wine and liquor available.

Alma will prepare charcoal broiled stakes on the grill outside under the palapa, or a wonderful Mexican meal, served at a table on the patio overlooking the ocean.

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

The Casa has a security fence across the patio facing the beach. It also has a high wall surrounding the property. At night “LaGuera” (pronounced La Werra) meaning “Blondie” in Spanish,  the four legged guard, is ever vigilant! No man or beast dare come near the property with LaGuera on alert !!

" La Guera "--Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

The gardens surrounding the Casa are lush and tropical. And the grass is so green it looks like it was just lifted from a golf course !

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

Villa Del Angel-Acapulco

As is often the case….My time at Casa Del Angel seemed all to short and I look forward to returning soon.

You may read more about Villa Del Angel-Acapulco by copying and pasting the following:

http://casadelangelacapulco.com

There you will also find rates and availability.

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The City of Oaxaca, and The Mercado de Artesanias

The Tabachin Tree

In the City of Oaxaca, The Mercado de Artesanias or Artist Market is the one-stop shopping location for a huge verity of moderately priced handcrafts of the region….such as textiles, weavings and other hand-made items.

Starting with the Juarez Market, one block off the Zocalo, walking down Calle 20 de Noviembre, you will pass a verity of small venders displaying a wide selection of goods from many of the villages from the areas surrounding the City of Oaxaca.

Walking on past the food court / market…you will then come upon the alluring aromas of the Chocolate companies that have helped to make Oaxaca such a wonderful culinary experience.

After tearing yourself away from the samples, and purchasing the Cinnamon-chocolate that makes the best hot chocolate in the world, you will turn to the right and proceed to the corner of J P Garcia & Zaragoza, and the Mercado de Artesanies.

Handmade Bedspreads and Table Cloths

Located in a cavernous barn of a building, The Mercardo de Artesanias will soon overwhelm you with the variety and quantity of crafts on display.

There are stalls upon stalls of bedspreads, table cloths, place mats and napkins. Other stalls of handmade baby’s and children’s cloths ( hundreds of items to choose from ) . Women’s blouses, skirts, dresses, hats & scarfs…men’s shirts, hats, and drawstring pants. If you don’t see the color, design, or size you want…just ask, and out from under the counter will come hundreds more to choose from !

Difficult to purchase just one item !

All completely hand made !

Each stall seem to have more goods than the one before

More-More-and More !!!

Also in The Mercardo de Artesnias  you will find a vast selection of hand crafted TIN Christmas ornaments, picture frames, hanging lanterns and mirror surrounds.

Other items to be found in abundance are mystical, hand carved and brightly painted wooden animals, frames and assorted decorative items.

Wood carvings and other handcrafts abound

YES! There is a lot more than this !

This Mercardo de Artesanias is a good starting place to get a hands  on visual overview of the vast variety of hand crafted items produced in the Oaxaca Valley and the villages in the surrounding mountains.

Also, a  quick education of what to look for in the abundance of ” high-End ” shops and galleries located throughout the City of  Oaxaca. …where you might find that perfect, one of a kind piece, to complement your home decor.

The Mercardo de Artesanias is the  perfect place to pick up those easy to pack gift items that you friends and family will enjoy for some time to come.

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These pictures show the looms on which the bedspreads, table cloths and assorted piece goods are made. Note the age of these looms…they must have been in use for many years.

Note the bedspread on the loom.

Looms for weaving bedspreads

Used for weaving textiles

Below are some samples of what can be created on these old looms.

All hand made

Handmade on the old looms

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For more info on The City of Oaxaca on the web:

http://www.go-oaxaca.com/overview/index.html

I hope you have enjoyed this very SMALL peek at the City of Oaxaca, Mexico

The Parade Of Giants… Saltabarranca, Veracruz // La Mojiganga De Gigantes

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The Parade of GIANTS in Saltabarranca, Veracruz is a tradition started in the late 1800s and continues to this day on the 14TH of May every year. Many towns in the state of Veracruz have the tradition of the MOJIGANGA — As I posted earlier in this BLOG — but none can surpass the shear size of the entries nor the full support of this entire  community as seen in Saltabarranca. These giant figures require from 8 to 30 people to carry them, and manipulate the different mechanical and electrical parts. And several months to construct.

The MOJIGANGA GIGANTES DE SALTABARRANCA is well worth the late hour .( it starts at around 10:30 PM) with a Mojiganga for and with the NIÑOS starting at 8PM…The thousands and thousands of people that throng from all over the state of VERACRUZ, and beyond , come to enjoy the festivities, see…and be seen…and party till dawn with live music and fireworks …and , of course..CERVASA !

The MOJIGANGA-PARADE OF GIANTS ends around 1 AM. Here are some photos of the fantastic, animated  figures. I hope you enjoy them !

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Be sure to include a side trip to TLACOTALPAN on your next trip to Veracruz, and the MOJIGANGA De SALTABARRANCA !

The San Cristobal, Chiapas — Home of JOY and DUNCAN

The Home Of Joy & Duncan

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My friends Joy & Duncan invited me and my friend Bart to stay with them in their 200 year old home in San Cristobal, Chiapas in February. We have known each other for about 4 years, as they stay in my Posada–Casa De La Luz–in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz,  on their long journey to and from Florida about twice a year. GADS-!–they must truly be Nomads !!

Their home incorporates the carriage entrance of a stately 200 year old town home that has since been divided into three residences. Everywhere you look, in every possible location, on every square inch of space, you encounter their incredible collection of FOLK ART from Mexico and beyond.

Every day, wandering from room to room, I would see another piece I had missed the day before. Having taken over 100 photos, below are just a few…and more will be uploaded to my “WEBSHOTS” page this week.

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Glassed-in walkway to the back of the casa

Inside the front enterance

Dining-room

Dining-room

Dining-room

Living-room

Living-room

Living-room

Loading these photographs is so frustrating for me, that again, just click on the WEBSHOTS link at the top of this page to view the rest of the photos ! I can not control the position of these pictures and am giving up for now.

Covered patio off the courtyard

The covered enterance--from the courtyard

End of the covered patio

SAN CRISTOBAL de las CASAS- CHIAPAS MEXICO–The Market

The San Cristobal Market is like the great markets of Oaxaca.

That said, I want to share some ” MARKET ” photos.

Remember to click on the photos…as there may be further comments or explanations of what you re looking at.

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The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

The Sunday Market

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San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico

San Cristobal de las Casas is located in the central highlands of the Mexican state of Chiapas, approximately 6,900 feet above sea level.

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My friend Bart, from Leetsdale , Pa. came to visit me in Tlacotalpan during the Candelaria Festival. Having had enough of the ” bulls in the streets ” and the throngs of people, we took off on the 10 hour bus ride to San Cristobal and the welcoming  home of my friends- Duncan, Joy and the “la princessa “-Floppsy.—the perfect bed warmer for those cool San Cristobal nights ! ( see picture below ).

" La Princessa "

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The city is named after Bartolome de las Casas, a Spanish priest, defender of the rights of Indigenous people, and first Bishop of Chiapas.

A brief history of San Cristobal may be found here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Cristobal_de_las-Casas

Of special note—the city of San Cristobal de las Casas is located near the Maya communities of  SAN JUAN CHAMULA and ZINACANTAN, and a half day bus ride to AGUA AZUL and the Maya ruins of PALENQUE. No better base camp could be found for tourists to experience the ANCIENT and the MODERN culture of the Maya.

A highlight of this trip was the hospitality that was  extended by Duncan and Joy in their beautiful home, part of which is over 200 years old and located right in the center of town.

Also, the fantastic guided tour of the Maya villages of SAN JUAN  CHAMULA and ZINACANTAN by “TOURS by ALEX and RAUL “. This was the most informative tour I have ever been on in Mexico.-BAR NONE!!!

About a half day in duration and not a long road trip; There were so many things learned.

Rather than go on about the trip here,…go to this site and read much more about  the San Cristobal of today, its food, lodging, and all things of interest to the traveler.

www.gonomad.com/destinations/0601/sancristobal.html

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Photos from ZINACANTAN…………………………………….

Leaving the Church

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

Zinacantan, Chiapas

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Photos from SAN JUAN CHAMULA………………………

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas

San Juan Chamula, Chiapas

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I can not stress enough…take the guided tour of these towns. There is so much to be learned.

BILLDELALUZ…………..

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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