My Oyster

Day 25 - Winding Down My Walkabout...

Ever since I was a little boy in very rural Maine and at a time when the world was far less interconnected than it is now, I dreamed of traveling the world and experiencing different cultures.  I am lucky.  I am able to live those dreams.

My last full day on this trip was perfect.  Capped off with a visit the National Art Museum and a look at Mexico's history through its art.  The building itself was as stunning as the art it holds.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 25 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

The Condesa has a pedestrian greenspace that makes a ring through the neighborhood.  Perfect for morning walks. 

Beauty...

Love the orange and the symmetry of this deco structure in the Parque Mexico.

Fun...

Opening up shop.

Spirit...

The guy on Pan's lap just radiates contentment.

Just liked it...

Roma-Condesa pickup.  Not sure what it's about, but cool.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 24 - Slim Pickings for Snaps...

Today I mostly worked here in Mexico City.  I had my camera with me, of course, but did not have a lot of opportunity to grab some shots during and in between meetings. 

Hmm.  So what was noteworthy from today.  I roamed around the Condesa neighborhood for a couple hours trying to find Mexican food.  It seems to be mostly Italian and Argentinian.  I ended the day/evening at the café of my Airbnb host with a hot chocolate.  That was perfect.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 24 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

A little pop of green.

Beauty...

The textures.  I just wanted to run my fingers against them.

Fun...

Ok, it's an Adidas ad, but still loved it.

Spirit...

I did not enjoy walking across this huge highway. It brought me closer to some greater being.

Just liked it...

Splash of blue.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 23 - The Early Bird...

I was out for breakfast before 9am and roaming the city with my camera for hours and hours.  I had to take some breaks to get some work done, but enjoyed soaking up Mexico City on Sunday.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 23 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

This critter was on display at the Museum of Popular Art.

Beauty...

The National Library is an old colonial building of beautiful connected courtyards.

Fun...

Sunday in the park.

Spirit...

Part of a mural in the National Library.

Just liked it...

How to relax on a Sunday in Mexico City.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 22 - 50 Years On A Sunny Afternoon...

Like me, the Museum of Modern Art here in Mexico City recently turned 50. To celebrate, they are hosting an exhibition of 50 of their best pieces.  Wow.  One of the best shows I have seen.  Ever.  Anywhere.

I just sort of stumbled into the museum itself this afternoon while on a nice sunny afternoon walk through Chapultepec park.

Serendipity.  I love it.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 15 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

This little guy was literally posing for pics outside the museum.

Beauty...

Frida.  Double self-portrait from 1939. 

Fun...

Cappuccino, colorful blocks, young love at the next table.

Spirit...

The richness of Mexican Modern art and culture.

Just liked it...

Street food.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 21 - A Bit Chaotic, But...

it's all part of the adventure, right?  So I am doing Airbnb for much of this trip.  My first time using it.  So far it has been great - especially in Oaxaca.  But...my Airbnb place here in Mexico City is not really cutting it. 

The host is a wonderfully sweet woman, interesting, and wants me to comfortable, etc.  But on a trip like this there are really only two things I need from my lodgings - sleep and some good internet.  Otherwise I am not really there.  I am there for two things - sleep and computer work.

Unfortunately my current DF lodgings are falling short on not one, but both.  The internet is horrible (I asked repeatedly in advance about this priority) and that has cause problems with getting work done.  The bedroom is lovely - but faces a bar directly across the street and so is not really conducive to sleeping.  Strike two.

That being said, I do love the neighborhood - La Condesa.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 15 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

Lots of fresh fruit.  Yum.

Beauty...

I love the flowers.  Their pollen does not love me back.

Fun...

I felt a bit like a Peeping Tom, but could not resist.

Spirit...

Street food!  All over the city.

Just liked it...

Early morning.  I think we were among the few out and about. 

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 20 - Making My Way to the DF...

The Distrito Federal.  Mexico City.  One of my favorite cities in the world.  This will be my last stop on this trip and will likely be more about work than play,

I have loved my time in Oaxaca and it was tough to leave.  It is an amazingly rich city - with culture and history and food and drink.  Lots of present day political activism that I got to witness from time to time.  And I loved my little Jalataco neighborhood on the edge of the Centro.  It felt like a small village but just steps from the Centro.  Perfect.  The pic above is of me in one of my favorite little neighborhood parks.  I took a quick goodbye walk before breakfast.

So I hopped the luxury bus (and it was very nice) for the long ride up to Mexico City.  I am excited to be back here.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 20 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

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This guy jumped out at me as I started an evening walk in Mexico City.

Beauty...

In the Parque Mexico in the Condesa neighborhood.  Lots of art deco, including her.

Fun...

Moulin Rouge under the stars in Parque Mexico.  A favorite movie on a beautiful evening.

Spirit...

I am staying in the Condesa neighborhood - and they are all about their dogs here.

Just liked it...

Some late night practicing.  I liked the feeling of solitude in the middle of the city. 

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 19 - Saying Hasta Luego to Oaxaca...

Wow.  19.  That is starting to look like a lot of days.  And today was my last full one in Oaxaca.  Again, for this trip.  I will be back.  With Jean.

I wound down my stay here in a fairly subdued way.  Did some work on the terrace in the morning.  Had my last Spanish class with Manuel in the afternoon.  He is awesome. I *may* actually finally have learned a few of the past tenses.  We'll see if it sticks.

After class I visited the San Pablo monastery that has turned into an arts and culture and dining complex.  Wonderful.

Then just chilled at home until I could no longer stay awake.  That's me in the pic above - looking from my bedroom to my terrace.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 19 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

The courtyard of the San Pablo art/monastery had beautiful greenery in it.  But really, the young couple making out by the tree are as much a part of the natural order of things in Oaxaca as anything.  They are EVERYWHERE.

Beauty...

Hello gorgeous!

Fun...

So many VW bugs here.  He must be the guy that keeps them running.

Spirit...

This woman selling her food just seemed to be the essence of the city - especially in the Centro.

Just liked it...

Gotta give a nod to my Spanish lessons here.  Part of today's lesson.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 18 - Day of Firsts in Mexico...

Got my first haircut.  Saw my first beisbol game.  Both were a lot of fun.  Antionio - smiling in the pic above is from Vera Cruz but moved to Oaxaca with his young family for safety reasons. He runs a tiny barbershop that is probably the best one I have been in.  It has tequila bar and great music.  It was nice getting to know him a bit. 

Tonight, as I was sitting in my room reading and watching the sunset I was hearing a loud speaker.  I figured it was a baseball game, because I know the stadium is only 3 blocks away.  So I packed up my camera and scooted down the street to catch some of the game.  Well really watch how people here enjoy the game.  Very fun.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 18 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

These trees are big and all over the two parks in my neighborhood.  Great shade.

Beauty...

I know that Futbol is the "beautiful game", but watching this boy standing on his seat for every inning must help make baseball a very close second.

Fun...

There was a great energy in the ballpark tonight.  The game was good.  Home team, Oaxaca Guerreros (Warriors) - not so much.  I did capture one of their few hits.

Spirit...

San Matias is the small church at the center (physically and spiritually) of my neighborhood, Jalatlaco.  I walk by it several times a day.  Every time the doors are wide open and there is a scene like this.

Just liked it...

My street.  Busting out in color.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 17 - On the Mend...

Ok, I missed yesterday - Day 16.  But I am back. Apparently my body wasn't only hurting good.  It was hurting bad a bit too. 

I went to another doctor again today at a private clinic/hospital right here in the Jalatlaco neighborhood.  My allergies have been so bad there that they are causing some other respiratory issues.  I think I have it under control already now with some meds from this doc and some real-time guidance from two very good friends back in DC.  And of course nonstop moral support and concern from Jean.  :-)   Raul - my Airbnb host here in Oaxaca has been a good friend also.

I did manage to have a wonderful day.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 17 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

This little guy was on my terrace - gnawing on some of the pollen that is slowly killing me.  :-) 

Beauty...

Sunset before the rains. Full disclosure - from last night.

Fun...

La Clinica Florencia.  It actual was fun to do an entire doctor consult En Epanol!

Spirit...

On a house down an alley.  A lot going on here but her eyes and expression.  Wow.

Just liked it...

Rain pouring into the courtyard at the cafe.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Day 15 - Morning in Puebla and afternoon in Oaxaca...

I woke up in Puebla this morning and got a great intro to the city with a quick walk around the city as it was waking up.  Definitely want to return to spend some more time.  Raul and I left Puebla pretty early for the 3 hour drive back to Oaxaca.  That gave me enough time to take in a market and a museum and some café time.  Perfect.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 15 of my Walkabout...

Nature...

The canyons on the drive were breathtaking and relentless.

Beauty...

This blue corner in Puebla caught my eye.

Fun...

The Zocalo in Puebla as it was starting to come alive in the early morning.

Spirit...

The cathedral in Puebla was surrounded by these angels.

Just liked it...

My mural snap photobombed by a boy, his father, and a vespa.

And more photos here at my flickr account.