And the fun begins....

One thing is for certain. I have been a picture taking machine since I landed in Oaxaca. Me and my camera are getting a little overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of exposures I've been scrolling through, but I can't stop. Every where I look is another picture! I want to post as many as I can here, but I think I'm going to have to limit myself just to stay organized. So I've decided to alternate subjects each time. Today's picture quota - Day of the Dead arty goodness! Preparations are ramping up here for the festivities and lots of art has started to appear. Sand sculptures are being built in stores and in the streets:

There is an amazing quantity and variety of papel picado - tissue paper banners with fun designs - my favorite is the bicycle!

We saw a group of young tattoo artists painting some amazing giant skulls to put out in the streets - they are making 37 of these total!

But our best find so far was the mural on this house! The community chooses a local artist to paint a different design on it each year. We were told last year was a skeleton cowboy riding a giant skeleton horse:

Here are some close-ups of some of the fun details:

All of this has really only just begun and I am so excited for all the amazing art spectacles I will see closer to the holiday. Another Dia de los Muertos photo installment is guaranteed!

Oaxaca!!

That's right. My mystery vacation is revealed. Lucky little me...I am in the beautiful city of Oaxaca for a culinary tour and Day of the Dead celebrations. We had a little time to kill today before our tour starts, so my first stop? The Museo Textil de Oaxaca ( a textile museum!) for some serious woven and embroidered gorgeousness.

 The colors combinations were unbelievable and most made with natural dye. I had some opportunities for yarn gazing (my favorite activity):

And saw some other gorgeous designs, like this fanciful skirt:

Check out what's on the back!

   We headed over to the craft market ("Mercado de Artesanias")...

Where I picked out this fun little summery frock...

I have a hunch the rest of my days here will be filled with just as much amazing art and craft goodness, so I'll be sure to post lots of pics. Adios! or Hasta Luego! Or whatever else would make sense...which reminds me...I really, really need to learn how to speak Spanish....

Vacation!

Guess what? I'm going on vacation....tomorrow!! I'm going somewhere with warm weather, delicious food and even more delicious textiles (and no, it's not hawaii, but mister rooster up there is happy for me anyway). Curious? I'll be posting live from the spot this week with pictures, so stay tuned...