Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Mexico City and Upsy Downsys

Okay, just wanted to show you a few picture from Mexico City. So I ended up getting a screaming deal on Priceline for a hotel I've always wanted to stay at. If you have seen the movie "Frida" you will has seen some of this hotel...at least the ceiling...the amazing stained glass ceiling. In the flim Friday is supposed to be in Paris...but I'd know that stained glass anywhere...it is actual "El Gran Hotel" on the main Zocalo and across from the Presidential Palace and the Catedral. Amazing. I ended up paying a third of the listed price...don't ask me how.

Here is my veiw from the room window. The Zocalo. Catedral on the left. Presidential Palace on the right.
Here is the hotel looks like from outside.
and this is what I see when I opened my door.

Look up!Stay there if you can. Way cool. Even if you don't at least go in and look at the beatiful interior.



UPSY DOWNSIES
for those of you who were in my Oaxaca class...I know you're lurking out there somewhere. There was a conversation about a toy that I had when I was very young. Upsy Downsys. Some of you thought I was zooming on shrooms but here is proof.

the cast of characters:

Upsys

  • Flossy Glossy - The Upsy Fire-Chiefess and her Elewetter Fire Engine
  • Tickle Pinkle - The Upsy Beauty and her Bugabout Car
  • Pudgy Fudgy - The Upsy Eat-Too-Mucher and her Piggybus
  • Baby So-High - The Upsy Hero and her Airo-Zoomer Plane

Downsys

  • Downy Dilly - The Downsy Mischief-Maker and her Footmobile
  • Pocus Hocus - The Downsy Mixed-Up Magician and his Dragon Wagon
  • Mother What Now - The Downsy Frazzled Mom and her Go-Getter Car
  • Miss Information - The Downsy Opposite Directions Teller and her Miss Information Booth
and the physical evidence:So there...neener neener!

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Return of El Charro


Well, I'm back. Back from "deMeng de los Muertos" in Oaxaca, Mexico. Just when I wonder if it is as magical a place as I seem to recall I am reminded that, yes, it is the most magical place on the planet. The class was swell...a wonderful group of 19 artists and adventurers, who, most said that the place exceeded there expectations. Well good...I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. And it looks like we will be doing it again next year. Stay tuned.

Some of you may already know, but I'm working on book numero dos. It is my take on Mexican art...so I'm not going to go into great details on some of the stories of the trip right now, since some of them may be good book fodder, but wanted to give you a few images to peruse.

Taking cemetary shots at night is a pain...but somehow this one turned out...if you have a Canon powershot...try the aquarium setting.


One of these things is not like the other:


This is Santo Domingo. This place just glows at sunset...the stones are so multicolored it is amazing...not bad a mid-day either.


Monte Alban...Zapotec...then Mixtec ruins. Read the story of Donaji in my book for more details but this is supposedly where Heaven and Earth meet. Just by looking at the photo, I think you might agree.

Ah yes, Zaachila church...where deMeng met the killer bee a number of years back...we did see bees, but nobody was injured.

As far as skeletons go...they are breathtaking

The Return of El Charro de los Calaveras...looking a little older.

Well thats it for now...stay tuned...more to come.

adios amigos
M