art thou?: 2024 10 Oaxaca with Michael deMeng Ocho

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Today is Halloween and although you do see some evidence of it in Oaxaca, it is underplayed in order to maintain the sanctity of Dia de Los Muertos.

After breakfast at the hotel this morning I made the decision to take on the daunting climb to de Auditorio Guelaguetza or as it is nicknamed, The Diaper. Because I am old and enfeebled, I make the decision to skip the staircase to the Auditorio and instead whined my way through some of the neighborhoods to make the climb more gradual.

WALKABOUT #9

As we get closer to Dia de los Muertos there are more flowers

And more flowers

I came upon a tree in a public courtyard that I will forever remember as The Tree of Cats.

I finally reach the summit where there is a tunnel that leads under the Pan American Highway to the Auditorio. In years past this was filled with great wall art but it is mostly all whitewashed now. Very sad.

These bikers were heading straight down the staircase

Here is the little of the wall art left in the walkway.

Always have to include this photo as proof I made it again this year!

This is the view from the Audiotorio looking back at the city of Oaxaca Juarez

What goes up must go down--but down is a lot easier than climbing this long staircase. Please listen to me and ignore the two bikers and this jogger.

And more flowers.

If I lived here, I would want a collage car

Class began again at 10:00 a.m. with some paint demos by Michael. I went to the torta truck in the park for lunch while I also got some money at the ATM and gift for my bride back home.

Helen, dressed for the evening, kindly posed in front of the hotel's ofrenda

At 4:00 p.m. some of us walked over to the Subterraneos printmaking collective. I was distracted by all the street art and the activity in Llano Park on the walk there.

WALKABOUT #10

It appears that there is going to be la comparsa from Llano Park this evening.

Even as I continue to try to catch up to the group walking to Subterraneos I can see people heading to the park for la comparsa.

When I arrive at Subterraneos they have a walkway of prints done on fabric.

At Subterranseos we had a brief presentation before the feeding frenzy of print buying. Marilyn was nice enough to offer to carry home this little print which I purchased for my print collection at home.

The reason I did not carry it myself is I decided to chase La Calenda forming in Llano Park. This seemed to be a ninos parade, maybe for the celebration of Halloween.

WALKABOUT #11

After I photographed the parade, I headed up into the Jalatlaco barrio which was really hopping. My goal was to re-unite with the group for dinner somewhere there.

Met this artist and his girlfriend who were painting this advertising for a sports bar

Eventually I met the group at this church as they wandered up from Subterraneous and various other locations for dinner on the second story of a restaurant whose name I forgot to record. I sat with Jessie, Penny and Wayne and it was great to sit with new individuals so that the table talk was fresh. At least, I think it was fresh as Penny and I spent a lot of time talking about The Marx Brothers. Jessie (the youngest in the group) felt like our movie recommendations were homework but we will see if she becomes a Marx Brothers convert.

The four of us walked back to our hotel area but Jessie went to her room while the three remaining amigos went to a Ramen Restaurant on the Alcala which turned out to be great.